HMEFlIGmN SOLMER 

Letters of 
EDWIN HUSTIN HBBEY, 2D 





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COPYRIGHT DEKJSIT. 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 




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AN 
AMERICAN SOLDIER 

LETTERS OF 
EDWIN AUSTIN ABBEY, 2d 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

MCMXVIII 



x\ 



COPYRIGHT, I918, BY KATHARINE ELEANOR ABBEY 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



Published May igiS 



1.3^ 



m W 1918 

©CI.A499314 



"VIMY RIDGE" 

Killed at Vimy Ridge 
In the jlower of his youth ; 
Killed in battle^ facing foe — 
Oh I May the -world find Truth* 

Killed at Vimy Ridge 
Fighting for a ^^cause^'^ 
The cause of all Humanity 
And God'*s all-perfect laws, 

R. B. H. 



April 10, 1917 



^^Greater love hath no man than this^ that a man 
lay down his life for his friends.'''* 



FOREWORD 

The letters are printed, with little or no editing, 
as they were written from the engineers' shack in 
the Canadian woods, or from ''overseas " in camp, 
trench, or hospital. There was, of course, no idea 
in the mind of the writer that they would ever be 
published. That they are is due to the insistent 
request of many who have found in them both 
illumination and inspiration. They tell their own 
story. ^ 

The summer of 1915 was spent in superintend- 
ing the construction of the bridge at Shaw's Creek, 
which was completed at the end of September. 
On October 2d, the writer of the letters enlisted 
in the Second Canadian Pioneer Battalion, in 
Toronto, going overseas on December 6th, and 
arriving at the Flanders Front on the 11th of 
March, 1916. Early in the morning of April 23d, 
Easter Day, "Lance Corporal" E. A. Abbey was 
wounded, and a week later sent to England, where 
he remained seven months. On December 1st 
he was returned to France, gazetted Lieutenant, 
Fourth Canadian Mounted Rifles, and went at 
once to the front, where he was "killed in action" 
at Vimy Ridge, on the morning of Easter Tuesday, 
April 10, 1917. 

W. B. A. AND K. E. A. 

Philadelphia, June, 1917 



CONTENTS 

I. Prefatory Letters — Canada, May-Octo- 
ber, 1915 3 

II. Letters from the Flanders Front — March- 
April, 1916 ,23 

III. Letters from the French Front — Decem- 

ber, 1916-April, 1917 . . . . .73 

IV. Additional Letters 169 



PREFATORY LETTERS 

(^Excerpts from letters to his Mother) 



Lordy I have loved the habitation of Thy house^ 
and the place -where Thine honour dwelleth, 

Ps. xxvi, 8 

Above all countries is humanity. 

Plato 



I 

PREFATORY LETTERS 

Sudbury^ May 12, 1915 
Went to the post-office and found your letter. It 
was good to hear from you and your feeling about 
the Lusitania. The dishonor to the flag is great, 
but it seems to me more a dishonor to manhood 
and humanity. I can see very little patriotism or 
flags or countries ; it is more a struggle of man- 
kind to defend the principles of humanity and 
chivalry which the Creator has handed down, 
even though the defenders themselves have abused 
and sinned against the very principles they now 
defend. It is as though the world had sinned to 
a point where it divided, the one half going over 
the bounds of human possibility, the other stop- 
ping and reaching back to former good and true 
tradition, to resist the impulse of the lost half to 
swallow it up as well. 

I feel we are only at the beginning, and 
must really fight for existence. Germany has 
shown herself a terrible menace, and she is be- 
ginning to feel confidence in her own resources to 
defy the world. The Allies have not gained an 

3 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

inch of ground since the war started in August. 
Thousands of men have given their lives to the 
end that Germany is not already in a position to 
destroy every woman, baby, and law of God, 
which interferes with her affairs ; and thousands 
more will have to offer themselves to prevent her 
from reaching that position in the future. No 
country or flag can be mine except the United 
States, but if I could go to this war as a citizen 
of the world, I would pray to be allowed. 

Toronto^ May 15, 1915 

I can't imagine what happened to my Sunday 
letter. I was very careful about getting it off, be- 
cause it was important. I reached Toronto Thurs- 
day morning and wrote you Thursday night and 
told you of my visit to the H.'s. 

Yesterday afternoon Mr. I. called me up and 
said that Mr. H. was going to put me in charge of 
a bridge about to be built in the Muskoka district. 
I saw Mr. H. and he said that if I wanted the 
job I could have it. It is a position I could have 
desired only in my dreams. The bridge is a good 
size and on a curve, which requires special en- 
gineering work to lay out, and not only that, but 
the centre piers will have to be sunk to rock bot- 
tom, through about forty feet of mud, by means 
of compressed air caissons. Not only will I have 

4 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

complete charge of all the engineering work, but 
as the contract is to be carried out on a cost plus 
per cent basis, I will also have to keep strict ac- 
count of all labor and material and be Responsible 
for any waste or uneconomic methods in the con- 
struction. In other words, I will be General Man- 
ager of the whole job, and this will be even harder 
because I have only two helpers when I could 
easily use five. My ability will be taxed to the 
utmost, which is the desire of my heart. 

And yet. Mother,! went in to Mr. H. this 
morning and told him that I could only accept the 
position with the understanding that if the United 
States declared war and called for volunteers, I 
would leave at once. I am so full of that, it 
drowns out every ambition or desire or thought 
of the future that I have. I have nothing but a 
great big desire to give myself to help in this 
battle against evil. 

Bala^ May 19, 1915 
I want to tell you what I said in that letter that 
never reached you. The affair of the Lusitania has 
gone through me again and again. I feel as if I could 
not just go ahead as I have since the war started, 
making plans for my own advancement, or my 
own family's welfare. It is not the isolated case 
of the Lusitania, or that Americans were among 

5 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

those to suffer, but the realization that it has 
brought of the actual conditions in Europe and the 
German attitude. It seems to me that the only rem- 
edy is in the thousands of men who feel called to 
oifer themselves for whatever they are worth. 

Just now, it seems to me that America is in an 
impossible position. Honor demands that we en- 
ter the war, humanity that we stay out. I will do 
nothing until the United States course is definitely 
decided, but above everything in the world, I 
want to go to the war and I want you and father 
to tell me that I can govern myself by what knowl- 
edge and judgment I have, with the surety of 
your confidence in me to do right. I think I can 
manage to serve in some way, if only you will 
give me the inspiration of your approval and trust, 
you and father. 

Toronto, May 24, 1915 
I can't say how grateful I am that you can feel 
able to give me for whatever purpose may be in- 
tended, for now I shall definitely plan to offer my 
services in some capacity in the war. This bridge 
work here came in such an unasked, unexpected 
way, at a time when such opportunities are almost 
unthought of, that I feel that I must keep on with 
it at present, but if I cannot enlist here, I will plan 
to go directly to Europe in the fall. 

6 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

Bala, May 27, 1915 
Your letter came yesterday a.m. It almost an- 
swered the thought in my last ; I mean the fol- 
lowing guidance as well as one can see it, and I 
feel just as you do about seeing this work through 
if I can. Of course I have thought of Red Cross 
work, but there are many who are only fitted for 
that ; and many Americans who would only think 
of doing that. My wish would be to go into the 
army and let the superior governing decide my 
duties. However, there is, no doubt, a guiding 
hand in all these matters. I believe in following, 
just as you ; but I think there is inward guidance 
as well as outward. 

What I meant by humanity restraining the 
United States is the fact that in spite of all our 
failure in national protest against outrages, still 
our very spirit has been standing as between the 
nations and their people that are in Germany's 
power. The thousands of Belgians who have 
nothing in the world are fed and clothed by us 
because Germany in the nature of our ' ' friendly 
relations " cannot help but permit it. This would 
be cut off in case of war. Through us the Allies 
are able to be in some way cognizant of the con- 
dition of their prisoners of war, and Germany can- 
not openly resent our investigation and supervision 
in such matters. Our representative in the German 

7 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Court is a guarantee against open ill-treatment of 
the thousands of interned and non-combatant ene- 
mies in Germany. Once the United States de- 
clares war, a great silent circle will be stretched 
around the space enclosed by the foremost Ger- 
man lines, and what will happen inside that circle 
is all conjecture. 

Bala^ May 28, 1915 

Your letters this week have all been full of strength 
and inspiration. The apathy you speak of is hard 
to endure, but there is nothing to do but to have 
patience. I would give worlds to be right in 
Europe now, a trained soldier, without all the de- 
lay and waiting and uncertainty ahead, but that 
is a universal burden. If it comes to our going 
in, I only hope and pray that we will take an 
active and aggressive share of the burden and 
sacrifice of the other nations, and not merely lie 
back and strengthen our fortifications and home 
protection against possible attack. I want the 
young manhood of America to be given a chance 
to prove themselves as willing to give themselves 
for a just cause as they were in 1861, and as they 
are now in the other nations of the world. Of 
course, we know they would, but the call seems 
to have come already. 



8 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

Bala^ June 10, 1915 
Yesterday's paper had the news of Mr. Bryan's 
resignation, and a great deal of importance and 
significance, as to the attitude of the American 
note, attached to it. One feels the portentousness, 
if there is such a word, of the times. It is certainly 
weak and selfish to ignore the issues and to live 
ahead as if the distance of the actual reign of terror 
made it unreal. Just as surely as I hear the frogs 
and tree toads singing away in this quiet night in 
the Canadian woods, a few thousand miles away 
people are hearing the roar of cannon, seethe glare 
of fires, and know themselves in the midst of death 
and destruction. 

Bala^ June 20, 1915 
I suppose I might get my C.E. from this work, 
if I wrote up a thesis, but I have n't time now, 
and anyway, at present, I am not thinking much 
about that sort of thing. I still feel, and I 'm sure 
it will get stronger, rather than less, as time goes 
on, my desire and purpose to be one of those who 
make the war their business and thought. The 
Allies are apparently preparing for a long fight and 
show no sign of weakening in their determination 
to see the affair to a finish. There is n't much to 
talk about. We must just keep steady and realize 
the gravity of things and prepare ourselves for hard 
sledding. 

9 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Sharu's Creek^ July 2, 1915 
They are anxious for recruits in Toronto, and yet 
turning down hundreds who have bad eyes ; it is 
very discouraging. I know you are praying for me. 
Pray that I will be accepted in some way, when 
the time comes. 

Shaw's Creek^ July 21, 1915 
The busiest thing in Toronto is the recruiting 
which is going on. There are halls or stores in 
every street with banners out, recruiting for the 
different regiments, and a trolley car which runs 
all over the city, decked out with flags and bunt- 
ing, with a recruiting officer inside, and signs, such 
as " Enlist now," " Your King and Country call 
you," " Remember the Lusitania," "Do your 
part," are everywhere. In the evening I saw two 
big recruiting mass meetings, with military bands 
and a parade of one of the city regiments, ' ' The 
York Rangers." They are letting up a little in the 
physical requirements. The men with defective 
teeth are taken in and turned over to special den- 
tists, who make them new sets free of charge ; but 
I have heard nothing about the eyes. 

Sha-uPs Creek^ July 27, 1915 
The last note to Germany is finally a satisfactory 
and determined statement. I may be able to serve 

10 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

under my own flag yet. Certainly Germany will 
never accede to the requirements, and the wording is 
not the sort that leaves room to " renege." I hope 
with all my strength that the United States will 
come to an awakening. To the European nations 
we must seem, in our utter lack of preparedness in 
the face of the greatest warfare in history, as a 
modern miracle of stupid conceit. How can a na- 
tion be so utterly careless of the future ? You can 
hardly pick up an American paper or magazine 
without seeing cartoons holding our futile army 
and navy up to ridicule. Every one knows it is 
true, and every one laughs and thinks it amusing. 

Sharu's Creek, My 30, 1915 

Father's papers came to me and I am glad to see 
them. Just now, the American opinion, which I 
cannot get in the papers up here, is especially inter- 
esting. It is so easy to forget the war in the hurry 
of a day's work, and yet it is still there, relent- 
lessly raging on, and whatever we may be doing is 
very inconsiderable in comparison. In one of the 
papers father sent, I saw a paragraph saying that 
the American Red Cross staff in the various armies 
at the front were going to be withdrawn, owing to 
the Society's lack of funds. Is n't that a horrible 
example of the growing familiarity and careless con- 
tempt of war conditions on the part of the American 

11 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

public ! It really should be the first and last wak- 
ing thought of every one, ahead of all personal 
worries or affairs. If it were, what a difference in 
events there would be. 

Shaxv's Creek^ August 2, 1915 
Here we are at the beginning of another month, 
and the anniversary of the beginning of the war. 
How many things have happened since last August 
that we thought impossible then ; and how much 
nearer are the Allies to an advantage or to any cer- 
tainty of ultimate success? Something makes us 
confident, or rather the general feeling of the out- 
side world is a comforting confidence in final victory, 
and still the Germans are advancing on foreign soil, 
after a year's resistance. Why is the world so un- 
willing to look serious things in the face ? 

I wonder what we are going to do, having sent 
our note, which could not have been received with 
plainer evidence of dissatisfaction by the Germans. 
I am beginning to feel, as you do, that the flag is 
disgraced ; the honor of the nation being fumbled 
away. The time for neutrality has passed. Why 
is the United States so slow ? I can think of noth- 
ing but the war. It seems immoral to think or plan 
for anything else. 



12 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

Shaxv's Creek^ August 12, 1915 
Your letter came yesterday, and it was a comfort 
and help to know that you feel as strongly as I do 
about the war and are making it easier for me in 
my plans. I still hope the United States will have 
an awakening, but if affairs are not definite by fall, 
I still want to do something, whatever it can be ; 
and the first thing logically seems now to try to 
enlist in Canada, if there is any branch of the serv- 
ice that will have me. My eyes will undoubtedly 
be a stumbling-block ; but there must be some way. 
I can't think that I would be useless. 

Shard's Creek^ August 25, 1915 
Your Wednesday letter came this morning. I have 
been slow with my letters this. week. Of course we 
will see each other again. I never had any plan 
that did not include that. If by chance I can enlist 
with the Canadians, it would mean at least six 
months' training in Canada, and certainly in that 
time there would be many chances. But, mother 
dear, I think it is nearly impossible for me to get 
in with them. The eye examination is still one 
which only a piece of luck would allow me to pass, 
and I am an American, which is in my disfavor, 
even if I am willing to take the oath of allegiance. 
I think the Hospital Corps will be my best chance, 
and if I am not able to get into the regular army 

13 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

service, there are some independent organizations. 
The best chances are, I think, in Canada, so I will 
try here first, but it may be that I will have to try 
America, or my original plan of going to England. 
Things must work out, as they always do. 

I know that in those moments when the thought 
of my possible going away comes, and for a mo- 
ment seems overwhelming, it would help to think 
of the women and children, still unhardened to 
blind terrors, who have been stricken, — I do not 
mean killed, but have had all that was humanly 
dear and comforting snatched horribly away, — 
and the victory that must be gained to put an end 
to all this horror. Remember that your strength 
is the mother strength that sacrifices itself for the 
children and the weak. I am your child, but no 
longer a human child with the necessities of hu- 
man children ; and yet, mother, in the greatest way, 
the spiritual way, I need you more every day, and 
in that need you are always giving and helping me 
and are always with me. 

Shaw's Creek^ September 15, 1915 

Your letter came yesterday morning, and the 
newspapers, too. I am glad to read the "North 
American" editorials and articles. I wish that I 
could feel that it represented the majority sentiment 
in the United States. One feels more keenly every 

14 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

day the demand for action, individual as well as 
national. It seems almost incredible that people can 
remain inactive. These last two weeks are becom- 
ing more irksome every day. I want to get started. 
If I cannot be placed in Toronto in the short time 
it will take to find out, two or three days, I will 
lose no time getting home, and will start as I orig- 
inally thought I would have to, going over to 
England. I am so glad you have begun making 
the surgical dressings as a definite work. It will 
give you the relief that doing something with your 
hands means, and according to reports, they are 
terribly needed. 

Shawns Creek^ September 24, 1915 

I feel this way about the American situation. All 
summer, as one by one the various crises arose 
and were smothered, I hoped that some definite 
lead would come; something that an American 
could stand by and say, "This is my country's 
decision, I must abide by it." But after all these 
months the country has made evident only one de- 
termination, that of avoiding the issue as long as 
possible. Well, I think there is no question but 
that the issue can be avoided until affairs are set- 
tled in Europe. The Powers that are looking for an 
outlet on this continent cannot give it attention now, 
although the intention seems clear enough. Amer- 

15 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

ica will not escape. We are very much involved, 
but I do not think the danger is imminent. How 
can people be so oblivious ? How can a half cen- 
tury have made a nation who sacrificed her^boys for 
the purest principle ever fought for, so desirous of 
nothing but safety and comfort? 

Bala^ September 30, 1915 

The work here is finished. There was some talk 
of putting in two additional piers, but it has been 
decided against, I am glad to say, for I think it 
would have spoiled the proportions. I am going in 
to Toronto, where I have a few construction plans 
to finish up, then up here for a final inspection 
Monday or Tuesday, and then, I hope, home. 

Toronto^ October 2, 1915 
I have wonderful news. I have been accepted, the 
thing we have wanted and prayed for so long ; and 
in the Engineers, where the work will be construc- 
tive, as you wanted so much. I will tell you just 
how it happened. I made up my mind I would go 
to the armories this afternoon and do my best to 
get in. I went in and asked where to go to join, 
and was directed to a room upstairs which was 
full of people, principally sergeant majors, by the 
amount of chevrons. I went up to one and said 
that I wanted to enlist, and he asked me what regi- 

16 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

ment. I said I did n't know, and asked him if there 
were any engineers recruiting. He said "yes," 
and directed me down about a half a dozen cor- 
ridors. 

In the last corridor a soldier was standing, writ- 
ing something on the wall. I asked him if he could 
tell me which room was the engineers' office, — 
there are no signs, — and he said, "Which en- 
gineers do you wish to join, the Pioneers ? ' ' Then 
I saw that he was an officer, captain or lieutenant, 
I do not know which. I must have looked blank, 
not knowing what varieties of engineers there were. 
So he took me into a room and began to tell me 
about the Pioneers. It is a regiment formed to do 
all kinds of construction work, railroads, high- 
ways, trenches, sanitary sewer work in camps, 
etc., just exactly the thing we thought of. He said 
there was going to be lots of hard work swinging 
a pick, probably, and the likes of that, and the 
men are a rough crowd, tradesmen of all sorts, 
carpenters, masons, plumbers, pipe-layers. 

Well, as he talked, I almost grew sick, because 
it was so exactly the thing I longed for, and I was 
sure I could n't pass the eye test. So I said, * ' That 
just suits me, if I can only pass the physical ex- 
amination." He said, "There won't be much 
trouble about that by the look of you." I had left 
my spectacles at home. He saw that I was a uni- 

17 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

versity man, and said that I had a good chance to 
become a non-commissioned officer. Then he took 
me to the recruiting-room and I was given my 
application papers and went up to the doctor. You 
can imagine that I was nervous by that time. 

I stripped and went to the doctor after they had 
measured me up. The first thing he did was to 
ask me to read letters on a card across the room, 
and of course the letters on the last line were just 
too small for me to read ; they jumped and danced, 
and strain as I would I just could n't see them. I 
told him I was nervous, so he gave me plenty of 
time and switched me over to a card by the win- 
dow instead of the electric light. Finally, I blurted 
out a guess. I was not sure whether I was any- 
where near right. Anyway, he thought it over and 
said he thought he would give me a chance ; the 
rest of my physical condition was good, and he 
wrote down my physical development and fitness as 
good ; and of course my teeth are all right. So he 
gave me a passed certificate. I could hardly be- 
lieve it. 

After that, we went from one room to another 
where there were a number of recruits for other 
regiments, signing papers, and finally were sworn 
in. So now I am actually a soldier. I was at the 
armories over two hours, and have just come back 
to write this. When it is written and mailed I 

18 



LETTERS FROM CANADA 

will wire. Does n't it seem like Providence again, 
mother, after all the waiting and the work at 
Shaw's Creek just nicely finished up ? Much love, 
dearest mother, to you and father, and thank you 
both for making me feel that I can do this with 
your blessing. 



II 



LETTERS FROM THE FLANDERS 
FRONT 



In the beauty of the lilies Christ was bom across the sea^ 
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me : 
As He died to make men holy^ let us die to make men free. 



II 



LETTERS FROM THE FLANDERS 
FRONT 

France^ March 8, 1916 

Dear Father : 

We arrived here early this morning, but did not 
disembark until daylight. The trip across was 
very smooth. I slept most of the time, but as far 
as I can see no one at all w^as sick. Rather a 
pleasant surprise, for every one expected it to be 
rough. I can't tell you the name of the place, 
though I do not suppose you vrill have much 
trouble guessing. We are in camp about five 
miles outside the city. Twelve men to a tent 
about half the size of the old National Guard 
tents at Sea Girt. 

We are only here temporarily, but where we 
go or when, I do not know and could n't tell you 
if I did. It is rather hard to write under this cen- 
sor system ; I suppose I will get used to it. I am 
on the city piquet to-night, so I am looking for- 
ward to seeing the city under more comfortable cir- 
cumstances than I did this a.m., during the march, 
when the weight of the pack on back and shoul- 

23 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

ders was enough to crack a man's spine; though 
this morning, even, I was so interested most of 
the time that I forgot I was being tortured. It 
is still fairly cold, but the snow is melting. I hope 
it will soon be warm so that we can discard over- 
coats and have one less thing to carry. 

This is really just a note to let you know that 
I am safe in France. I will write a decent letter 
as soon as I get turned round. Much love to 

mother. 

Your son, 

Edwin 

March 11, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

We are at the front much sooner than we ex- 
pected. I wrote father from France on the 8 th, 
but I do not know whether he wdll get it, for I did 
not put any stamp on it. They tell me now that 
to go through it is best to put " via Canada " on 
the envelope, or else put on some English stamps, 
and I have not any. Be sure and tell me whether 
these letters without stamps get through all right, 
and when you write, enclose an envelope and paper 
for an answer, because it may be hard to get 
paper. One thing I need is a good strong jack- 
knife with one blade and a can-opener blade. I 
have lost mine and cannot get hold of one here. 

24 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

Our billet is right on one of the main commu- 
nication roads running back of the line, and it is 
interesting to watch the traffic that goes by. There 
is a constant stream of transports, dispatch riders, 
and parties of infantry going in and out of the 
trenches. The transports are of every possible de- 
scription, starting with big motor trucks and com- 
ing down to little carts. To-day I even saw one 
of the London motor busses with the winding 
staircase in the back. It is certainly an interest- 
ing place to be, and Belgium, or this part of it, is 
like the pictures in the Sunday papers. It is rather 
hard to write an interesting letter under the cen- 
soring conditions, because one is constantly think- 
ing of interesting things to say and then cannot 
say them. It is late now, so I must stop, but I 
will write often, and, as I get more settled, will 
do better. 

March 14, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I have not got quite settled for letter writing. 
I do hope these will reach you all right. As soon 
as I can get some English stamps I will put them 
on my letters and make assurance doubly sure. I 
wrote you Saturday evening just before we went 
up to the trenches for the first time. . . . 

I am short of time, for lights go out here at 

25 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

eight o'clock, but I will get off a good letter before 
the end of the week. Everything is fine and we 
were lucky to get here so quickly. Much love to 
you both. 

March 19, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I have finally gotten a green envelope, which 
will let my letters be censored at the base, so I can 
write without feeling that my own officers are read- 
ing the letter, which is uncomfortable. 

I am going to start with our leaving Hazeley 
Down, and try to give you a consecutive narrative 
up to the present. We started out about 7 a.m. on 
Tuesday, the 7th, as you know, and marched to 
our port of embarkation in England. We carried 
all our worldly possessions on our backs, which is 
an uncomfortable operation. It was a very cold 
morning when we started, and a slight snow had 
turned into ice on the road, making walking very 
difficult. At noon we halted for lunch, and it started 
to snow, thick, heavy, wet flakes which had us 
soaked through in half an hour and lasted all the 
afternoon. We arrived in the steamboat sheds at 

about 3 P.M. , pretty well done up with the 

hard marching and heavy load and the wet. There 
was a refreshment stand in the shed, where they 
sold hot coffee and buns, and it was the storm 

26 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

centre of a riot in about five minutes. I managed 
to get two mugs of coffee and half a dozen buns, 
so was very comfortable. 

We stayed around the shed until about 6 and 
then went aboard the steamer and sailed about 6.30. 
The steamer was a low gray boat, somewhat the 
shape of the Sandy Hook boats, only smaller, and 
it travelled like an express train. I was never on a 
boat that cut through the water at such speed. It 
was dark, of course, when we started, and cold. I 
stayed on deck an hour or so, and got some sup- 
per of ' ' bully -beef ' ' (canned beef pressed) , biscuit, 
and tea. We were distributed about the ship in 
various cabins, etc., so that there was room to lie 
down, but no floor space to spare if you did. 

It was cold enough to wake one up after sleep- 
ing an hour or so, even wearing an overcoat and 
all. I slept for an hour or two, and, when I woke up 
stiff and cold, wandered about the boat until I got 
warmed up, and then went to sleep again. After 
one of these sleeps, about 1 a.m., I guess, I 
woke up and went on deck and found that we 
were tied up to a dock. I always imagined that a 
Channel passage was very rough, but certainly it 
was n't by our course, for I never even felt a mo- 
tion. The dock and harbor were brightly lighted 
and searchlights were flashing around. I noticed 
then that the deck was seven or eight feet above 

27 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the dock, but when we landed at seven o'clock, 
the deck was away below the dock, about ten feet, 
I should think, a tremendous tide. 

I went to sleep again, and, after several more 
hours of discomfort, managed to get some hot tea 
from the second-class pantry, which put a fresh 
face on affairs. Shortly after that, we got our own 
breakfast of tea, cheese, and biscuits, the latter to 
last us for lunch with a tin of bully-beef. As the 
dawn broke, I watched the city grow into form, 
just as I had Plymouth about five months earlier, 
and it was just as satisfying to see this new coun- 
try take the expected shape. The buildings were 
tall and thin, white with green shutters and little 
balconies. One could make out the signs on the 
shops and see people walking along the streets; 
and soon the street cars began to run. 

At seven o'clock we disembarked and marched 
through the city, at first the docks and railway 
yards. In some of the latter there were German 
prisoners w^orking, unloading cars under French 
guards. The latter were quite picturesque with 
long black beards, light blue frock coats, and guns 
with bayonets about a yard long. The Germans 
looked rather indifferent, or at any rate non-com- 
mittal. They wore the little round caps you see in 
pictures. The central part of the city was very 
pretty, and it was interesting to see the people, 

28 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

though the few men seemed to be soldiers as in 
England. I say few, because it was a large city. 

There were thousands of small boys who ran 
along and held our hands and begged insistently 
and continually for '' Bees-keet," occasionally va- 
rying with ''cigarette," evidently aware that the 
British soldier usually carries a ration of biscuits 
with him and is inclined to give them away, 
rather than sacrifice his teeth in the effort to nib- 
ble a corner off for nourishment. Some seemed 
dressed very prettily, and it was surprising to see 
them running loose ; then they graded off to the 
typical urchin, but not miserable at all, happy and 
laughing. The invariable costume was a smock 
sort of apron tied behind ; their legs were bare, 
and some wore sabots and Tam-o'-Shanter caps. 

When we got through the city, we climbed up 
a long high bluff at the rear of the town and made 
our way to the camp ; about a five-mile journey 
altogether, with a hard hill. It grew warm and 
our overcoats got unbearable before we arrived, so 
we took them off and carried them, en bandouliere^ 
which increased our load to the elastic limit of the 
spine, I think. We arrived at the camp about 
eleven and got a good wash and stayed there until 
night. At 8.30 we started back to the city, and 
about midnight were loaded into a train at the 
freight station. There were thirty-three of us in 

29 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

a box car about half the size of an American box 
car, so that when we found room for our equip- 
ment, there was n't room to lie on the floor, even 
like sardines, to sleep. I was in the car with the 
bugle band, and that meant about six kettle-drums 
and a bass-drum to accommodate. 

The train travelled through France all day Thurs- 
day. The country was interesting to watch. There 
were lots of French soldiers, and we went by 
many camps, but no city that I knew, no large 
city at all. We had cheese and biscuits and 
bully-beef to eat, and at two stations hot tea was 
passed in. We reached our destination about mid- 
night, Thursday, and as soon as we got off" the 
train we could hear the big guns and have heard 
them ever since ; but now one is so accustomed to 
them that it blends in with ordinary noises, like 
the surf at the seashore. We had a march of about 
four miles to a hut camp, not Hazeley Down 
huts, by a long shot, but real huts, half buried in 
the ground, protection from shell lire. We piled 
into these so tired we could hardly move, and 
slept until well into the next morning. There was 
not much water visible, so I washed in the snow 
and we got some more biscuit, bully-beef, and tea. 

At two o'clock, *' B " Company fell in and we 
moved again, this time only a couple of miles up 
the road to a billet in the barn of a farmhouse. 

30 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

There was plenty of straw and we were fixed up 
comfortably. Saturday morning we spent fixing 
up the billets, and at five o'clock we started out to 
the trenches. We went right out to the front line, 
— Canadian front, of course, — and helped a com- 
pany of engineers building a support trench about 
thirty or forty yards back of the front trenches. 
This was March 11th, so I was in the front line 
trenches just five months and nine days after I 
enlisted. That is not a very long wait. 

We are to receive our training right here, work- 
ing for a month with the engineers and then tak- 
ing over their work. Sunday night we went in 
again on the same work. Monday, I was sent 
back to our base camp of huts to attend a school 
of trench construction, with part of the company, 
and we have been working all this week building 
trenches and fortifications for the third line way 
back from the line of fire, under the instruction 
of experienced engineers. I expect that most of 
my platoon will be here next week, too, and I may 
stay on, but after that we will be back at the real 
work, strengthening and repairing the front line. 

The weather for the last week has been beauti- 
ful, warm, and sunny, and the snow has long 
since disappeared. I am in fine health and look- 
ing forward to an interesting spring. The chief 
thing I need is letter paper (it is hard to get), and 

31 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

tooth-cleaning accessories every six weeks or so. 
I wrote to father on the 8 th and to you on the 
11th, 16th, and to-day. I hope they will arrive 
safely. I will try to write regularly, and you must 
know how eagerly I look for mail. Papers of any 
sort are very welcome. They are hard to get 
hold of. 

March 21, 1916 

Dear Father : 

As I guess you know from my letters by now, I 
have reached the scene of action and am taking my 
humble part in the operations. Since I have been 
here, I have had three letters from you and five 
from mother, all forwarded, of course, from Haze- 
ley Down. The mail service here is marvellous — 
incoming and outgoing every day ; and I do not 
think so far as my receiving is concerned, that there 
will be any additional delay. To-day is the twelfth 
of my sojourn in this country and the tenth since 
my first visit to the trenches. We arrived in the 
small hours of a Friday morning after a twenty-four- 
hour run, cramped up in one of those little French 
box cars, and after marching three or four miles 
were glad to turn into a temporary camp of huts, 
throw off" our packs, which had gained several 
pounds weight with every step, and get to sleep. 
The whole battalion was so dead tired that even 

32 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

the fact that we could hear the guns from the mo- 
ment we tumbled out of the train, failed to stimu- 
late us. 

I woke up about 8 a.m. and turned out of the 
hut to see how the land lay. The camp was at the 
side of one of the big main roads that divide this 
country up almost like a big city, they are so reg- 
ular, although it is nothing but farm land. They 
are lined with very regular, tall elms with the 
branches trimmed about thirty feet above the 
ground and that stand out very prominently, be- 
cause there are few trees, practically none, else- 
where; and are paved continuously with Belgian 
blocks, which are all right for transports, but make 
marching a nightmare. We were on a rise and the 
country stretched out almost flat in every direction, 
dotted with farmhouses with thatched or red-tiled 
roofs and windmills. In the distance, one could 
make out the spires and other indications of a fairly 
large city. 

I followed some other men into a little cottage 
at the side of the road, and got a cup of black 
coffee and some coarse bread and butter for tup- 
pence. There was still a lot of snow on the ground, 
and as search failed to produce a pump or well, 
I washed the railway dirt off as well as I could 
with that. About eleven, our cooks managed to 
make a little tea and we were served with hard- 

33 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

tack, bully-beef, and cheese. At 2 p.m. B Com- 
pany lined up again with kits packed and resumed 
the march, leaving the rest of the battalion to its 
fate. B Company was the first to get away and 
the first in the trenches. We marched up the road 
a few miles and were put into a billet, the barn of 
a big farmhouse, with lots of straw on the floor 
and in the loft. We were told that there would be 
no more duty that day, and it did n't take me very 
long to get into the straw again and roll off about 
ten more hours of sleep. 

Saturday we spent the morning cleaning up the 
billet, and at 4.30 in the afternoon we fell in with 
guns, ammunition, and spades and started for the 
trenches. On the way we picked up a party of 
engineers who took us in charge. It was good and 
dark when we came up to the line, and the Ger- 
mans had started their nightly illumination with 
star shells, something like rockets, only they burst 
into one luminous ball, instead of stars, which is so 
brilliant that it lights up the surrounding ground 
with a glare like a searchlight, and floats down 
slowly, burning brightly for several seconds after 
it reaches the ground. We send them up, too, but 
ours are not nearly so bright and often fizzle. These 
stars go up continuously, all along the line as far 
as you can see, so you can imagine the effect as 
one approaches. You feel as though you were puU- 

34 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

ing into Manhattan Beach or Atlantic City on the 
Fourth. 

It was n't long before we were in the communi- 
cation trench that leads out to the front line. You 
have seen hundreds of pictures of the trenches and 
read the descriptions, but it certainly was thrilling 
to be actually in. The trenches in this part of the 
line have been pretty well perfected. It is well over 
the height of a man from the bottom to the top of 
the parapets, so that there is no stooping to be 
done, and the bottom is floored with "trench- 
mats," a sort of latticed board walk lifted up off 
the ground on stakes, so that the water or mud 
underneath does not matter. The bottoms, of 
course, are sloped toward any available low point 
for drainage. The sides of the trench are revetted 
with screens of chicken wire over canvas, which 
is quickly put up and fairly permanent in good 
weather, and the top two or three feet is built of 
sand bags to prevent crumbling on the edge. 

My candle has only half a second left, so I will 
have to stop and finish to-morrow. 

March 22 

The trenches twist and turn so, a precaution 

against enfilade fire in the event of the enemy's 

occupying any position, that we seemed to walk 

miles before we reached our destination. It was a 

35 



AN American soldier 

new support trench about forty yards back of the 
front line. Saturday night I was on a " carrying 
party," whose duty was to carry timber, wire, etc., 
from a material pile to the working party. Sunday 
.night we went in again and I was in a digging- 
gang. Some of the new work had fallen in and 
we had to remove the sand bags and dig down in 
front of the screens and push the latter out, wire 
them back, fill up behind them, and put back the 
bags. It sounds simple enough, but the digging 
was the worst I ever struck. Sticky mud that 
clings to your shovel, so that you can only get rid 
of one shovel full out of every three, and that by 
effort. After two or three hours of it, I am all in 
and ready to admit it. We usually work from 
sundown till about midnight, although whatever 
task is given has to be finished. 

Monday morning I was sent back to our first 
camp, which has been made battalion headquarters, 
and sent to a school of trench construction with 
a detail from the company. We spent the week 
building different sorts of trenches and dug-outs 
under the instruction of N.C.O.'s from the engi- 
neers and infantry battalions, who have been doing 
the work for the last year. This week my platoon 
is at the school, so the few of us who went last 
week are staying on at the camp, doing guard and 
fatigues. I am on guard now. Next Monday we 

36 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

will go back to our billets and work and let another 
platoon take the instruction course. 

One of the chief interests here on clear days is 
to watch the aeroplanes. Sometimes the sky is full 
of them and a good proportion are German. Our 
aircraft guns shell them, and one can watch the 
shells burst around them. They get pretty close, but 
I never saw one hit. When they get overhead, the 
shells, or bits of them, drop around you, which is 
uncomfortable. 

The weather was fine last week, warm and 
sunny every day ; but it is raining again. I will 
be glad to get any newspapers you can send. The 
only news here consists of rumors that travel up 
and down the line and grow like the black crows 
in the Second Reader. Whenever you write, en- 
close envelope and paper for an answer. It is hard 
to get anything in that line here. 

You know by this time that the draft came 
through all right. I have not touched any of it yet, 
and do not think I will for the present. We are 
getting a franc a day, which is sufficient to eke 
out rations with fried eggs and coffee at the cook- 
shops along the road. 

I am glad the badges reached you all right. 
They were designed by one of the officers. Our 
musketry was rather rough and ready. None of 
the fine points you speak of. We are always 

37 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

supposed to carry guns, but I do not think we will 
have much opportunity to use them. Our main 
aim is to get our work done, attracting the least 
attention possible. 

March 25, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

I have had five letters from you since I have 
been here, dated February 22d and 29th, March 1st, 
1st, and 3d, the last four together. You can im- 
agine what it was for me to have them in this 
strange place and experience, for certainly it is 
that. The letter you wrote speaking of the Sacra- 
ment was the one I liked the best, I mean was 
especially a help, for I had been wondering how I 
could ever manage it here. Of course, there are 
occasional Roman churches, but that is all, and 
of course, now we are on active service, always 
on duty, bounds are short and strict, and one's 
time is seldom one's own ; but you have taken all 
that anxiety from me. Were I in one of the Eng- 
lish regiments, I know that opportunity would be 
made, for I suppose one of the most notable things 
in all this war has been the earnest, brave, and 
never ceasing work of the English chaplains. 

My two weeks back of the line end to-day. It 
is four o'clock now, and at six we start for the 
trenches. This time we are to stay right in them, 

38 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

working day and night for about three days, as the 
infantry does. It has been a good rest. The hard 
journey here and quick and uninterrupted heavy 
work at the end was a test of endurance. Now 
that I have been back and doing work with no rush 
or strain attached to it I am refreshed in every way 
and looking forward to a real start. 

You remember I sent a bundle to Aunt Gertrude, 
extra socks, etc. Well, I had bad luck. I allowed 
four pairs, which really was lots ; but one pair 
failed to come back from the wash just before I 
left, and the second day here I was drying two 
pairs in front of a fire, and managed to burn holes 
in the bottoms of one pair, and one of the other 
pair disappeared while hanging on the line, which 
brought me down to one pair. There was a lot of 
walking to be done in water and mud, so that 
was n't enough. I wrote to H. and Aunt G. both, 
and the day before yesterday I had a wonderful 
package from H., with three fine pairs of socks, 
and things to eat ; and yesterday, another splendid 
package from Aunt G., with cake, chocolate, and 
the socks, three pairs ; so now I have seven pairs, 
all splendid, and my feet are cared for, for a long 
time to come. Miss McM. and Mr. B. just wrote 
that some are on the way from each, so I will 
hardly be able to carry them all. 

People seem to be sending me too many things, 

39 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

but I will tell you the special things I want : tooth- 
paste and brush as often as you think they are 
needed, and sometimes a towel or a comb. These 
things are hard to buy, and keeping clean is the 
one nearly impossible thing. I will tell you of 
things when I need them. There are no shops 
here, save those that sell eatables of different sorts. 

We had lovely weather last week, but this has 
been stormy and cold. Last night and the night 
before very cold, and yesterday driving snow, 
which turned the world white again. However, 
to-day the temperature rose tremendously, and 
now the afternoon sun is shining brightly on ground 
bare of snow and drying rapidly. 

There was one letter that I received here among 
the first, I forgot to tell you: a colored picture 
of a soldier, with '* from Billy" printed on the 
back. To think that that dear little fellow should 
have been one of the first to greet me here at the 
front ! 

All last week I did sentry duty on the big road. 
It seemed strange to be there under the stars, in 
sound of the nightly guns, and challenging the 
Allies' soldiers as they passed. 

The time is getting on, and I must go and get 
my cheese and bread and tea for supper. Dearest 
mother, your letters are such a joy. I will try to 
write often, and, as time goes on, share the expe- 

40 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

riences with you and father. I am in fine health 
and spirits, and facing the work ahead with a 
good heart. Good-bye for a little time, dearest 
riiother. 

March 30, 1916 
Dearest Mother: 

Your letter of March 10th, and one from Phil- 
lips, each enclosing a picture, came on Tuesday. 
I liked the one you enclosed the best. They are 
both beautiful, and yet I think that he could have 
done better. There is an inside glint of warmth 
and sweetness that the little man on Ninth Street 
caught and Phillips seemed to miss. Still, I love 
them and will always keep them with me. 

I wrote you on Saturday, and Saturday night 
we went into the trenches for two days, acting as 
infantry, coming out again on Monday night. 
Part of our training, I suppose, to teach us the 
actual use of the trenches. It was long enough to 
make me think that the infantry deserves most of 
the credit of the war. They usually go in for three 
days at a time, and then are out for three days, 
though sometimes the shifts are longer. While 
they are in, they are practically on duty all the 
time, and much of their duty exposes them to rifle 
and shell fire ; then there is the prospect of a shell- 
ing at almost any time. The trenches we were in 

41 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

were dry, but they must have been terrible last 
winter, for they say the water was often over the 
tops of their high boots. I suppose the German 
trenches, where we were, were about a hundred 
yards away, but they looked very near. 

Now we are billeted at another farm and go out 
on working parties every night, as before. It has 
been quite cold, but to-day was sunny and warmer, 
and I think good weather is coming. This morning 
we were marched to a neighboring town and given 
a warm bath and clean underclothes. The first bath 
I have had since I left Hazeley Down, and I cer- 
tainly was glad to get it. I put on the extra under- 
wear and shirt that I brought with me. The clothes 
that are given out are washed, but not very thor- 
oughly, and are often infested, so it is just as well 
not to take them. If you have not given away my 
underclothes, it would be a comfort, if you would 
send me a suit now and then, one every month, for I 
do not think that we will get a bath oftener than 
that. If you have given them away, don't buy good 
ones, but get the cheapest you can, for I just throw 
away the ones I take off. There is no place to get 
them washed, and no water to do my own wash- 
ing, for it is very hot here in the summer, and 
water of any kind is scarce. 

There does not seem to be much news. I have 
only had your letter and father's since my last. 

42 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

Everything is going well with me and I am quite 
happy. The Government has stopped the issue of 
the green uncensored envelopes for a month, which 
means that I will have to save up the intimate 
things that one does n't wish other people to read. 

France^ April 1, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

This is just a little note to greet you on the first 
of the month. It has been a beautiful, glorious day, 
with the bright sun and clear blue sky and the 
fresh spring feeling in the air. Your letter with en- 
closure of Dean S. came just a little while ago, and 
I am going to send it back to you in this. It is a 
wonderful letter. I am glad to have the pictures 
and like them. It seemed to me that they made 
me look as old as I should, but much more than I 
do. I am going to write to father this afternoon, 
but if I take this right in, I can catch a mail that 
leaves to-night which I can't with his. I will write 
you a real letter to-morrow or the next day. Much 
love. 

France^ April 1, 1916 
Dear Father : 

Your letter of March 10th came last Tuesday. 
And to-day, one from mother, dated March 17th. 
I wrote a little note to her to-day. Quite a lot of 

43 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

things have happened since my last letter, but the 
chief thing is that we went into the front line as 
infantry for two days and so feel that we are really 
initiated. We took the regular turns of sentry 
duty, and the whole experience was worth having, 
although not at all pleasant. The German lines, at 
the point we occupied, were about one hundred 
yards from ours and very much in view, — the 
parapet of their trench, that is, not the men. 
Trench warfare has for its chief principle keeping 
out of sight, and both sides are pretty expert at it. 
Snipers have both sides pretty well covered, and 
it is not safe to keep your head up very long, when 
on watch. Fifteen or twenty seconds is lots. 

At night, both sides send out patrols and work- 
ing parties under cover of the darkness, but the 
star shells make them stick pretty close to cover. 
The land for about half a mile back of the trenches 
is a desolate area. The few trees or buildings left 
are shattered to within a few feet of the ground 
with shell fire, and the ground is pitted with cra- 
ters and shell holes. I must admit that when our 
time came to go out, I was more than ready to obey 
the order. Even without the exchange of compli- 
ments which is growing more continuous and fre- 
quent with the spring the place is calculated to 
dampen the spirits of a confirmed optimist. 

Since Wednesday we have been billeted at 

44 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

another farm, going into the trenches at night on 
working parties. The longer one is here, the clearer 
things get, and of course it is much easier to work 
and more interesting if one can get an idea of what 
the authorities are driving at. We have not been 
long enough yet to understand much, but there 
seems to be more of a plan than appeared at first. 
It would be a great help if I could get hold of a 
map of the district, but that, of course, is impos- 
sible. I have asked Aunt Gertrude to send me a 
small war map if she can ; the sort you get at news 
stands. I do not know why I did not think of 
bringing one. I wish I could tell you the places we 
go to, so that you would have the interest of fol- 
lowing me around on a map. 

There are few stores here. One can get things 
like oranges, chocolate, etc., but that is about the 
limit. Sometimes we get into small towns, but even 
there, the stock in the stores is very meagre.^ Noth- 
ing much that one wants to buy, excepting eatables. 
The people in this part of the country are all peas- 
ants, apparently, even in the towns. It is astonish- 
ing the way they stick to their homes in the firing 
zone, women and children going around uncon- 
cernedly and men working in the fields . Often shells 
burst in the field they are ploughing. 

The weather this week has been beautiful, warm 
and sunny. I hope spring has come to stay. I am 

45 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

anxious to see what they are doing in Mexico, 
and the Presidential news, for I haven't seen a 
newspaper for nearly a week. Be sure to send me 
a paper occasionally. I think the United States 
gets the best news, any way. Your letters are always 
welcome. It is very cheering to have the mail man 
pass things out. 

Flanders^ April 3, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I did not half answer your letter of March 17th 
in my little note on the 1st. You don't know 
how much a letter means out here. It seems to 
put a new face on everything. Yours came Sat- 
urday, and one, from father, written on the same 
day, came to me to-day. He said that you had 
just received a Toronto paper telling of our de- 
parture from England. By this time you may pos- 
sibly have my letter written from here on the 11th, 
although I know the Western mails are very slow. 
The pictures weren't much of a success, I am 
afraid. I do not think that I have changed so much 
as it would seem. However, perhaps there will be 
an opportunity for better ones later on. Yours were 
a little disappointing at first, but I like them more 
and see more in them every time I look, which I 
suppose is the proof of Phillips's real worth. He 
has gone below. Instead of the picture I had before, 

46 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

now I can really see you. I am glad that you are 
feeling and keeping well. 

You asked me to tell you what time we got 
up, and that is rather hard. When we are at the 
base, as we are now, reveille is usually 5.30 and 
breakfast at 7 ; but when we are working in the 
trenches at night, and do not finish until after 
midnight, we are allowed to sleep until 8.30 or 9 
o'clock. If we are working at a distance from our 
billet, there is generally a hard march after the 
work is done, which uses one up. Now the whole 
battalion is in a big camp at a different part of the 
line from that in which we were. We moved in 
yesterday, and I do not know how long we are to 
stay or what our next work will be. 

The last two days have been quite hot, as 
though April really intended to be spring. The 
mud has dried up in many of the wet places, so 
that uncomfortable part is nearly over. I do not 
think that I will need any socks. H. has sent me 
five pairs. Aunt G. the three I left with her, and 
Mrs. B., in Guelph, two pairs; and with the one 
good pair I had, eleven should last for a long 
time. It is really a great deal to carry around. 
Probably I will have more from Canada before 
these are done. If I should ever be stuck, I would 
write to H. and get more very quickly, for she 
can get them where she is. If you will send me 

47 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the cheap, thin underclothes once a month, and 
occasionally toilet things, I will tell you what I 
need, or want, rather, from time to time. What 
I want most now is a case to hold my toilet things 
in, for I have lost mine. 

Do you remember the army store where father 
used to get me khaki trousers and shirts. I won- 
der if you couldn't get a shirt there occasionally 
and send with the other things. Remember, noth- 
ing good ; but it will give me a clean change oc- 
casionally without depending on these Govern- 
ment things. I expect hot weather is ahead. 
Another thing that would add to my comfort, if 
father could pick up a pair of riding or infantry 
breeches. They are the most comfortable things 
to wear with puttees. This, however, is going to 
extremes. Really, I have everything I need, and 
I am not strong on adding to my wardrobe, for it 
is impossible to keep anything in decent shape ; 
and the tendency is to throw away everything that 
is not absolutely necessary, so you won't have to 
carry it around. The H.'s' bundle came, and the 
best thing in it were your handkerchiefs, for that 
is what I badly needed. The good white handker- 
chiefs that you sent, I left in my bundle with 
Aunt G. The things you send will always be 
what I want most, and I will always tell you what 
I need. So far as eating and general comforts go, 

48 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

you can rest easy that I am all right; conditions 
have been greatly improved since the beginning of 
the war. Keeping clean is really the one difficulty 
and that can be overcome. Now I must stop for 
a while. 

France^ April 9, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

Your package came the day before yesterday, 
and it was like a breath from home, especially the 
little towels. They are incongruous with the sur- 
roundings, but it is the sort of incongruity that 
cheers one up with the realization that all these 
hard conditions are only temporary and the other 
is the goal we are working our way to. You seem 
to have thought of everything ; the shoestrings and 
menders and pins are almost invaluable. And the 
former makes me think of something else, insoles, 
unknown here. At least, one can never find any 
stores that have them. They are wonderfully help- 
ful in heavy boots. My size is 1^, 

Then the toothbrush; I have n't felt so revived 
for weeks as when I started off with it yesterday 
morning. You know the prophylactic and its imi- 
tations have apparently found no place in the 
English markets — perhaps, owing to the sup- 
posed indifference of the English public in general 
to dental matters. I did my best to get one in 

49 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Winchester, which has two splendid drug-stores, 
but the very best was the old flat kind ; so it has 
been a long time since I have had the comfort of 
feeling satisfactorily clean. The cold cream and 
cucumber jelly are going to be fine, too. I re- 
member Mrs. H. telling about O.'s disgust when 
some one sent him a cake of soap ; but I will have 
to admit that keeping halfway clean is my one 
comfort, and it is a hard job. You seem to have 
sent me just the right things. Perhaps a little 
later I will have to ask for insect powder. 

The chocolate and peppermint were enjoyed to 
the last mouthful. I can remember at home I 
would n't walk across the room for candy ; but 
anything good to eat here is a luxury. Rations 
are good though, and sufficient, but not any more 
than that, and one usually has a pretty healthy ap- 
petite most of the time. We get bacon for break- 
fast and stew for dinner, as a rule ; and tea twice 
a day. That tea is as precious as gold, and it is 
good, too. Good tea, condensed milk, and sugar. 
Drinking water is scarce, and one does n't like to 
use much under any conditions. Then we get jam 
and cheese and butter and bread and, occasionally, 
canned beef and hard- tack. Every once in a while, 
your stomach turns against one or the other of the 
commodities — stew, usually ; but if you forego it 
for a day or two, the taste comes back again. 

50 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

There is usually one or several cottages in the 
neighborhood of a camp, where one can get fried 
eggs and coffee and oranges and chocolate, etc. ; 
but to tell you the truth, my stomach turns against 
the eggs and coffee as often as against the army 
rations. There is something unappetizing in the 
way of cooking ; and the places are not always as 
spotless as they might be. The coffee would be 
unrecognizable in America, equally at home or in 
Dennet's : strong, bitter, and peculiar. 

The parcel was dated March 24th, so it only 
took a scant two weeks to get here ; but the last 
letter I had was, I think, the 17th, so there must 
be some others on the way. Still, it would be won- 
derful if they were not held up sometimes. I have 
been very fortunate, for every parcel sent me has 
come through on time, and lots of the boys' are 
either very late or lost, and this is the first week 
I can remember that I have had no letter or packet 
of letters from you. Aunt G. sent me another 
package yesterday, with apples and chocolate and 
rusk, so I have been wonderfully lucky in that 
way, with food two days' running. Of course, 
things are always to be passed around when they 
come. 

We are in tents now, and they are very com- 
fortable. The weather is gradually getting warmer 
and brighter. The chaplain had an open-air serv- 

51 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

ice to-day, and I could see them being held in 
some other camps near, one of which rejoiced in a 
band. O.'s battalion is camped only a few fields 
away, but he is not back yet, for I asked one of 
the men. 

We are doing some very interesting work now, 
building an entirely new trench to replace one de- 
stroyed in a bombardment. Yesterday morning we 
did not get back until four o'clock, and this morn- 
ing it was 5.30. Broad daylight when we reached 
camp. Of course, that was because we had quite 
a long march from the place where we are work- 
ing. Every day, as one sees into the work a little 
more, it becomes more interesting and easier to do. 
I hope I will be able to get the enthusiasm and 
determination that the H. boys have. 

I wish I could give you an idea of this camp, 
as I sit here writing, outside the tent. It is so typ- 
ically a part of the war. The tents are in rows and 
streets, of course, but pretty well spread apart in 
these days of aeroplanes and long-distance shelling. 
Then standing about are the transports and water 
wagons. The wagons are just bringing in the day's 
supplies with a lot of bustle and urging of mules, 
and the field kitchens are sending up a cloud of 
smoke, for it is nearly tea-time. Soldiers are in 
every direction and military impedimenta in piles 
and around the tents. In the distance the flat land- 

52 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

scape spreads out with other camps and farmhouses 
and windmills. Overhead is the hum of an aero- 
plane: sometimes so high up it is only a speck, 
and sometimes quite close down. You can usually 
tell the enemy's planes when they are over our 
lines, because they are surrounded by puffs of smoke 
which follow them just ahead, or just behind, — 
the shells of our aircraft guns bursting. The big 
guns sometimes boom steadily for hours, but just 
now they are quiet. 

Some mail has come in on one of the wagons. 
Perhaps your letters are in it, but they will not be 
distributed until to-morrow, and I want to mail 
this now. Mail is the brightest, happiest, most 
longed-for, expected, and appreciated thing in all 
this country. You can't know how much pleasure 
the parcel gave me ; it was so full of your thought 
of me. Good-bye now for a while, and much love. 

April 12, 1916 
Dear Father : 

Yesterday I had a family mail. Two letters 
from you, March 20th and 24th, one from mother, 
March 24th, and one from Sue, March 23d. It is 
funny that mother's parcel mailed at the same time 
reached me on Friday, five days ago. It only shows 
that one cannot depend too much. The shoe-laces 
and menders were fine, and very valuable addi- 

53 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

tions to my kit. I re-sewed all the buttons on my 
tunic with one of the latter, yesterday. It was the 
new tunic I received just before leaving Hazeley, 
and the buttons were tacked on with sugar-bag 
string. Three of them were off and the other eight 
were hanging by a thread. I have also learned to 
darn socks. There is plenty to occupy one's time; 
but lately we have had very little time. 

Last Friday we started to work on a section 
of trenches that have been pretty well ruined in 
recent bombardments, and have been out every 
night, seldom getting back before five or six in 
the morning. It is a bad piece of work, and I 
will be glad to see the end of it. We are under 
canvas now and very comfortable until to-day. 
There has been a high wind and driving rain 
since early morning, and we have had our hands 
full trying to keep the tent together, and fairly 
dry inside. However, it is all part of the life, and 
it is surprising how one can keep comfortable in 
spite of things. We each have two good blankets, 
and at present are wrapped up in them. 

There are nine of us in the tent, six English- 
men, two Canucks, and a U.S.A. One of the 
cockneys has produced a mandolin from some- 
where, — I never saw it before to-day, — and is 
amusing us with some old tunes. It is funny how 
men of different sorts manage to chum together 

54 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

under circumstances of this sort. Two of the 
Englishmen are young fellows, as nice as any I 
have ever known; one the son of an English 
Church clergyman, and I guess of very good fam- 
ily. Two of them are pronounced cockneys, with 
the humorous disposition and tongue of Sam Wel- 
ler. One is a big chap from the coal-pit district 
around Newcastle, alternately pleasant and dis- 
agreeable, and one a young farmer from York- 
shire. All of course have been in Canada for a 
certain length of time. The two Canadians are 
young fellows who have been working on con- 
struction gangs, and are good companions. 

The few English papers that one gets hold of 
occasionally have nothing at all in them about the 
Mexican situation. If it were not for your letters, 
I would not know anything at all about it. I am 
looking forward to seeing a ' ' North American ' ' 
when you send it. There should be no trouble in 
getting it through, for I have had several Toronto 
papers, and the men are getting them all the time. 

A sergeant stuck his head into the tent awhile 
ago and told us that we did not have to go out to- 
night. Well, I can remember rejoicing at school 
when holidays were announced, but I do not think 
such news then was any more welcome than now. 
We are pretty well done up with work, and a 
good night's sleep will freshen us up. We have 

55 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

had supper, stew that I enjoyed, and tea, and I 
am fixed up comfortably in my blankets with two 
candles on a biscuit box, shielded from the draft 
by my tin shrapnel helmet, for illumination. The 
tent flap is fastened down and everything cosy. 

I hope T. R. will start stirring things round for 
November. For one, I am looking for the United 
States to take an interest in affairs over here, and 
I think the time has come when Mr. Wilson's 
dream of helping things to a finish could come 
true. Only, it can't be accomplished by concilia- 
tory or neutral methods. The Paris Conference 
has made it apparent that the Allies will not con- 
cede any point in their original demand for the 
restoration of all invaded territory. 

Well, it is nearly eight, and I expect to hear 
"Lights out" at any minute, so I will stop. 
There are no bugle calls here, orders are by word 
of mouth. Much love to mother. 

April 13, 1916 
Dearest Mother: 

After two days of driving rain and wind, to-day 
is beautiful. Still breezy, but the sky is blue, 
flecked with white, and the sun is bright and the 
air is fresh and clean. Your letters of March 20th 
and 24th came on the 9th and 11th. Wasn't the 
parcel enterprising, to beat out a letter that was 

56 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

mailed four days ahead ? Just now, I was reading 
over your letter about spending your days, " Thurs- 
day, Mass at 7.30," and I looked at my watch and 
it was 12.30 ; as nearly as I know, five hours is our 
interval, so for a minute or two, I remembered. It 
is a great comfort to me to think of your days be- 
ing full, for I know that this time is, and is going 
to be, one of the hard places in your life, and that 
necessity for going ahead is the greatest thing. 
I had a lovely letter from Mrs. Charlie H. the 
other day, and she said that she was feeling very 
deeply for you in anticipation of her own anxiety 
when C. comes over. It must be bracing to know 
that so many women are facing the same ordeal 
and bravely going through with it, helping and 
comforting each other. 

I am keeping a sort of diary ; just putting down 
the dates of different happenings. Whenever I have 
been brought safe through special dangers, I put 
a cross opposite the date ; I will tell them to you, 
so that you can make a special thanksgiving. I 
think you would rather have me do that than just 
write ahead without saying anything. I have two, 
now : March 27th and April 10th. 

We have just come back from a foot-washing 
parade at a near-by creek, or rather ditch. After 
we had washed our feet, we rubbed white oil into 
them to toughen the skin and prevent blisters. The 

57 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

toilet things in the parcel were very far from being 
"coals to Newcastle." They have all been used 
already, and were what I wanted specially. Now, 
I want a small sponge and a nail-brush, a comb, 
and a cake of carbolic or some medicinal soap that 
is good for irritated skin. I have told you lots of 
things, you see. I do not mean to send them all 
at once, but just tell you, as I think of them. Your 
parcels will always have the things I need and want 
most. . . . 

A soldier must live from day to day, with no 
thought of the future, just a steadfast purpose of 
carrying out orders and being stronger and steadier 
than he naturally is ; and faith and trust in God's 
purpose make it possible for me. Do you not think 
that the war is making people less selfish in the 
world, and in the United States ? Surely it must, 
when in so many places people are sacrificing 
their dear ones and their money for a cause. Even 
if it seems to some more a question of honor 
and family, or national tradition, than justice or 
freedom. 

I often think of the rank and file of the German 
army, and even the junior officers. They are suf- 
fering untold hardships and showing magnificent 
bravery in the face of heavy odds, as much, per- 
haps more, than the soldiers of the Allies : although, 
one must be here to realize that men have risen to 

58 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

a height of courage and endurance in this war that 
people living in modern civilization never dreamed 
of. Surely, some gain must come from this tremen- 
dous effort and conquest of self, and Germany 
must not be entirely a loser, when her sons, even 
if forced, have paid such a price. I hope for a 
Europe of republics and personal freedom as the 
only adequate result. Of course, we strain against 
national characteristics or nature that makes sub- 
marines and Zeppelins possible. Such things are 
the result, it seems to me, of forced acquiescence 
to tyranny and wrong government, and time must 
wear it down. The races will never be able to 
understand each other; but you have heard the 
cries for reprisal, much more horrible than the 
deed if carried out, and we know our South, 
the dealings with the negro there. Freedom, and 
then the conquering of self are the great hopes 
that the war holds out, and it is more than worth 
that. 

Do you take the '' Atlantic Monthly " ? If you 
don't, do, and send it to me when you have fin- 
ished, and I will pass it on. I like the things in 
the almanac. I could not read magazines, but such 
articles would be a great relief to my mind and 
keep me in touch. Much love to you both. 



59 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Palm Sunday^ April 16, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

This is just a note so that I would not let Palm 
Sunday go by without writing to you. We have 
cleared our tent out to-day and given everything 
a good airing, and I let my time get too short. 
This afternoon was beautifully clear and dry, so 
it was a good opportunity to get the place cleared 
up after a rainy week. We had our open-air 
service at 1.30, and afterward a communion serv- 
ice in the chaplain's tent, for which I was very 
glad. 

Yesterday, your second parcel came, with the 
chocolate and coffee, towel and socks, and the pa- 
per, which I am already using. The coffee and 
prepared chocolate are splendid things. I thought 
of asking for them once or twice, but never did. 
Now, I can have some good hot drinks, for one 
can always boil water. The socks are lovely and 
soft, and I am glad to have the soft towel too. 
Your parcels are always the best, because you are 
the one that wants them to be the most, and I can 
feel the love and thought in them. As for the 
" staple fruit," ' as you call it, I would not want 
you to ever even think of it ; so let 's not. To-day 
came the Boy Scout knife from father, and some 
clippings I was very glad to get. The knife is just 

* Tobacco. 

60 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

the sort of a one I need, and a beauty. I will try 
not to lose it. 

This is such a short little note, that it hardly 
seems worth sending, yet I will. To-morrow, I 
should have one from you to answer, and any way 
I will write. Now it is time to fall in. Very much 
love to both of you, and to the dear people at 
"1606." 

April 18y 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

Your letter dated March 31st came yesterday, 
and I am writing this on the paper enclosed. I 
have the pad, too, for the parcel came a day sooner 
than the letter, no, two days. I wrote you on 
Sunday that I had received it, and father's knife 
and newspaper clippings, too; all parcels now 
have come sooner than the letters written the same 
time. That seems funny, does it not ? Your parcels 
are so dear, and breathe of you. The little white 
towel will be comfortable sometimes, and the choc- 
olate I enjoyed so much. It seems to be an article 
of food which I do not grow tired of, and it adds 
a pleasant taste to our utilitarian meals. The pad 
and envelopes are line, and you could have thought 
of nothing better than the coffee and liquid choco- 
late. I practically do not drink water, at all, ex- 
cept when it is boiled in tea, and now I can make 

61 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

myself a hot, refreshing boiled drink between 
meals. It has been rainy and cold almost con- 
stantly this month, and a tent, although it keeps 
out the weather, is not like a house, so hot coffee 
and chocolate are luxuries, and you have sent me 
the best of both. 

Yesterday I had yours and father's letters of 
March 31st, and a fraternity notice forwarded, a 
dear little colored picture of the " frog footman," 
from Billy, and a lovely note from Father S., say- 
ing that I was being prayed for twice daily in the 
school chapel. How much that means to me. You 
say to tell you what your "bit" can be. Dear 
mother, that is it. You are praying not just for 
me, but all of us out here, and the German sol- 
diers too. I often think of you at early mass and 
in "St. Saviour's," and so many other times of 
the day, praying. That is the great thing, for it 
all lies with God, and in His own way He always 
answers prayers, so when I think that you and 
father and Father W. and Father S. and so many 
others are praying, it is a great comfort and 
strength. When I am under fire, I pray not only 
for protection, or a worthy dying, but for courage 
not to lose my control and to help others. 

This is one of my " green envelope" letters, 
so I can write out. Our work is not so dangerous, 
or, what is worse, does not require so much en- 

62 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

durance, as that of the. infantry who are on duty 
for two or three days, and constantly subject to 
attacks or bombardments. We work for three or 
four hours, and then go back where we can rest 
and get a new strength for our spirit; and then, 
of course, our danger just now is not great, though 
once or twice we have been in bad positions. That 
reminds me that I have another " cross day " for 
you, April 14th. We never know when we will 
be called on. As the spring advances there are in- 
dications of a new activity. So you can pray and 
I rest in the strength of your prayers. I could 
easily write you without letting you know that 
there was danger, but I know you are brave and 
strong ; I can feel it, and you are always near me ; 
so I tell you special things in order that you can 
pray specially, and give thanks specially. The 
one great thing I need is courage and self-control 
in danger; not only for myself, but for others. 
There is nothing which so encourages and gives 
heart to the weak as the strength and coolness of 
others; and there are many boys here sixteen, 
seventeen, eighteen, full of bravery, but too young 
for a man's steadiness. Pray for them, too. 

Yesterday I had another parcel from Norse cot- 
tage, handkerchiefs, candy, chocolate, and cigar- 
ettes, from those dear people who have not enough 
to think of, with three of their own sons out here. 

63 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

I have gotten this far without saying anything of 
the wonderful news I had in a letter from To- 
ronto, the other day, that O. was on his way home. 
You must know before you get this, but is n't it 
wonderful ; and what a reward and help to Mrs. 
H. for all she has suffered and borne and given. 
I do not know how long he will be able to stay, 
but I hope it will be great happiness for them all. 

There is something I have wanted to ask you, 
in case, as Dean S. put it, the soldier should 
' ' pass through battle into peace. ' ' Will you write 
to Nurse H. ? Otherwise, I do not know how she 
will get the news. I am glad that I have been able 
to write all this to-day, for I wanted you to know 
and be with me ; yet I wanted you to know, too, 
that I am happy and not in any fear or strain, but 
just as you are, going about my work, each day, 
trusting in the comfort of being ' ' safe in the 
hands " of the '* one disposing Power." 

I so love the little things Billy sends, and his 
thinking of me. Sue just sends them in an envel- 
ope without comment. I must send him a let- 
ter. The socks you sent are fine. But now, I have 
plenty. When I need more, I will say. I love 
your pictures more every day. It is strange that I 
could not see the depth in them at first. I will 
look forward to when you can send me a pansy. 
I love them, and the thought of the flowers and 

64 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

the little garden. The Girard estate will soon be 
fluttering green leaves and grass. A whole year 
now since I have been away. Much love, dear 
mother. Good-bye for a little while. 

Boulogne-sur-Mer 
April 27^ 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

The dearest old lady, who is a regular hospital 
visitor, has just been to see me and given me this 
paper to write to you. It is really the first chance 
I have had, for the Sisters here are terribly busy 
and one hates to bother them. I was wounded in 
the left shoulder by a piece of shrapnel, very early, 
about 12.30, Easter morning. I asked one of the 
boys who carried me into the dressing-station, to 
write a note to Aunt G. , asking her to cable you 
that my wound was only slight, and I hope that 
she has done so, before now. I do so hope that 
you have not received official notification, anyway 
before you heard from me. Everything would be 
fine, were it not for the fear of your anxiety. The 
wound is a small one and it has never given a 
minute's pain. 

I was taken to a clearing hospital in a field am- 
bulance, arriving about 6 a.m., Sunday, and left 
Tuesday afternoon, arriving here about 11 p.m. We 
came on the hospital train, which was a beauty. 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

This is a lovely hospital, in a big casino, right on 
the seashore, and every one is lovely to me. Yes- 
terday the doctor removed the shrapnel, a little 
round bullet, so now I am all right. It went into 
my back, just below the shoulder blade, and came 
out in front, not much of a wound. My shoulder 
is a little stiff, but does not hurt at all, and I sleep 
well and eat everything I can get. To-day, a lot 
of us had our beds carried out on the lawn in the 
sunshine and were there all day, with a grapho- 
phone for our diversion. To-morrow, or the next 
day, I am booked to go to England. Is not that 
fine ? It is like having an Easter vacation. 

I will write again very soon, and cable my ad- 
dress when I know it. Very much love to you all. 

King George Hospital 
London^ May 26, 1916 

Dear Father Ward : 

Your letter of April 7th with the Easter card en- 
closed was forwarded to me from France, and I 
received your letter of May 5th last week. Both 
gave me happiness, and the card is beautiful. Does 
it not seem a coincidence that the Lenten season 
so exactly confined my stay in the war zone ? We 
landed at the dock in France shortly after midnight 
on Ash Wednesday morning, March 8th, and I 
was wounded as nearly to midnight on Easter 

6e> 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

morning as it could possibly have been. I had 
looked at my watch about five minutes to twelve, 
and as nearly as I can judge was hit about ten or 
fifteen minutes later. It is a Lent that I am not 
likely to forget. 

I am entirely well now ; the wound is healed 
and whatever shock I suffered has disappeared, so 
that I feel ready and anxious to return to the work 
which I had hardly started. Six weeks seem very 
inconsiderable when the majority of the men have 
been out there for six months and a great many 
for eighteen. I think that I will be discharged from 
hospital in a few days, then have a short furlough 
before rejoining my base company. Then probably 
there will be a week or two waiting for a draft, so 
that it will be a month anyway before I rejoin my 
unit at the front. 

The life out there is certainly very much disas- 
sociated from that of an ordinary mortal ; in fact, 
you can only realize it while you are actually there. 
I have completely lost my memory of the realiza- 
tion already. In a way, it is living in the constant 
shadow of death. The hardships in hving, wet 
clothes, rough food, lack of washing, are only in- 
cidents which one might undergo anywhere. But 
there is always the consciousness that one must 
soon go back to face danger. Yet the surprising 
thing is, how easily the burden of anxiety is thrown 

67 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

off, once you leave the firing line. In our case, of 
course, we usually reached camp on our return 
about 4 A.M., with a feeling of wonderful peace, 
ate a breakfast of hot tea and biscuit and cheese, 
and then had a dreamless and very refreshing 
sleep ; woke up about eleven for our real breakfast 
of bacon. Then the rest of the day until supper time 
was spent in a care-free spirit. 

When you are on the firing line, unless the fire 
is rather fierce, and always in the lulls which come, 
there is the same feeling of a strain slipping off 
one's shoulders. So that actually the time that one 
is under a real strain is not very long. I suppose 
one of the greatest fears a man has to fight is that 
his nerve will give way or that he will be cowardly 
in some way. 

I have found in every trying circumstance that 
praying is a wonderful comfort. I do not know 
how a man can go through it who has not a belief 
in God to fall back on. 

Your letters help me very much, with the knowl- 
edge of your prayer and what you say about God's 
presence. A man fully realizes his own physical 
futility in the face of modern warfare. There is 
nothing then to fall back on but his will power, 
and I know that mine is worthless excepting I 
have the spiritual help which comes from my be- 
lief in God. Your words all help and strengthen 

68 



LETTERS FROM FLANDERS 

that, so are and will be a great help to me in the 
future. 

I will write again when I know my time for go- 
ing back. 

Very much love to you and Miss Ward. 



Ill 

LETTERS FROM THE FRENCH FRONT 



Paradise ! 
Where loyal hearts and true 
Stand ever in the lighty 

All rapture through and through 



Ill 

LETTERS FROM THE FRENCH FRONT 

British Officers* Club 

France^ December 2, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I am at the base for the second time, and ex- 
pect to join my new unit in a day or two. I tele- 
graphed my address to you yesterday and you 
should have it by now, but any way I will write it 
out so that you can be sure : Lieutenant E. A. 
Abbey, Fourth Canadian Mounted Rifles, B.E.F., 
France. I meant to wire you as soon as I was 
gazetted, but the whole thing was an indefinite 
proceeding. 

Last Wednesday a week we were told to go at 
once to London and get our outfit. I left Thurs- 
day morning and arrived in London about noon 
on Thursday. I went first to the Pay Office and 
then out to Chelsea Lodge. Aunt G. was there. 
I had wired her that I was coming, and we at 
once went to a tailor's in Pall Mall and I was 
measured for a uniform. Friday morning I went 
with Aunt G. to the tailor's for a fitting, and then 
to the Army and Navy Stores (London Wana- 

73 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

maker's), and there we purchased a variety of 
things. I am going to write you a complete list in 
a minute. We went back to Chelsea Lodge for 
lunch, and then to the Stores again to proceed 
with the work in hand. Saturday morning I went 
to the Stores for a fitting and then to the Pay Office, 
where I found they had received authority to give 
me my outfit allowance of fifty pounds. Saturday 
afternoon my uniform arrived from the tailor's and 
I went with Aunt G. to tea at the American Em- 
bassy. 

Sunday morning I went to eight o'clock service 
at Westminster Abbey, and back to Chelsea Lodge 
for breakfast. Then I went over to Batter sea Park 
and called on Mrs. Charlie, and found Charlie 
there on his leave. It was fine to see him again, 
and he seemed very well and happy. I stayed 
there until two o'clock, and then went back to 
Chelsea Lodge and went to the three o'clock serv- 
ice at St. Paul's. It was the first time I had 
been there, and I was greatly impressed with the 
beauty of the place. After service we went to tea 
with the J.'s and after that I went to dinner with 
the L.'s. 

Monday morning I took my uniform back to 
the tailor to be altered, and then went on to the 
Army and Navy Stores to finish shopping, which 
took up most of the day ; Tuesday morning, more 

74 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

alterations. Tuesday afternoon I went shopping 
by myself and managed to get a few little Christ- 
mas things, some littie toys for the children, but 
nothing much. 

Here is a list of my outfit : 

1 cap and sword-belt and stick. 

1 coat. 

1 pair breeches and 1 trousers (dress). 

1 coat, 1 breeches, trench. 

1 overcoat. 

1 trench-coat, waterproof, fleece-lined. 

1 pair of high field boots, leather. 

1 pair of marching-boots. 

1 pair of leather leggins. 

1 pair of high rubber boots, leather soles. 

1 pair of rubber trousers. 

1 woollen sweater coat. 

1 leather vest. 

4 flannel shirts, collars and neckties. 
3 suits heavy wool underwear. 

2 pairs flannel pajamas. 

1 canvas sleeping-bag and valise combined. 

1 canvas kit-bag (haversack). 

2 towels. 

Electric torch and whistje. 
Several military books. 
A wrist -vyatch. 

Of course I have socks, handkerchiefs, etc. ; as 
you see, I am very complete and comfortable. 
Wednesday morning we sppnt packing up, and 

75 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

just before I left in the afternoon Mrs. L. came 
in, so I was able to say Good-bye to her again. 
Then Wednesday night I arrived at the C.M.S., 
and early the next morning started off again and 
arrived here yesterday. In a day or two I should 
be with my unit. 

When I went back to Crowborough, I found 
three letters from you and one from father. Yours 
were written just after the election. 

Well, dearest mother, I must stop now for a 
time, but I will write very often. Your letters are 
my great comfort and inspiration. You are so full 
of facing things squarely and bravely. I know it 
will be hard for you, but you will bear through 
bravely and I am happy that I can represent you. 

Love to father. 

Canadian Base, December 4, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

We are still here, and it is unsettled how soon 
we will be sent ''up the line." I think very soon, 
and I know I will find mail waiting me there. The 
mails for Canada for Christmas close to-day, and 
so this morning there was a tremendous pile of 
letters to be censored. There is a large number 
of troops here. All the officers not on duty, about 
twenty-five of us, sat here in the ante-room of 
the officers' mess and read and initialled letters 

76 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

from 9 A.M. to 3 p.m. I read hundreds of letters 
to mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, sweethearts, 
brothers, children, and chums, all cheery, and con- 
cerned with the happiness of Christmas at home 
and making light of hardships and the future. 

You know that I think the men in the ranks are 
the finest in the army. It is they who have made 
a wall of their bodies to hold back the advancing 
menace, and now are storming back. The phys- 
ical courage and sacrifice is higher than the guid- 
ing mind, great and necessary and unselfish as 
this latter is. I am glad that I had the privilege 
of being with them for those short weeks last 
spring. 

Your description of the mission at Sagada is 
wonderful, and the engineering side is appealing. 
Father S. must be a splendid man to accomplish 
so much, and one does not wonder at his appre- 
hensions in the face of the present disappointing 
conditions in the country, but we cannot give up 
our responsibility ; it is our country, and we must 
fight to keep it whole and bring back the ideals, 
just as the North fought to keep it whole in '61. 
We must constantly stand and bear witness for 
and help such big men as Theodore Roosevelt who 
are our leaders. There are a great many ways we 
can help. The Church has the greatest power, and 
after that the schools and our children. We want 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

children like those who shouted *' Vive la France '* 
in Germany when the war was started. 

And now I must wish you and father a happy, 
happy Christmas, as I cannot send a card. Wher- 
ever I am on Christmas Day I will be keeping it 
with you. You must think of me as very com- 
fortable now, especially in the matter of eating. 
Even at the front when in billets, the officers' 
mess is part of the institution. I will have share 
in a servant to take care of my things. Here it is 
very comfortable. We are three in a tent and have 
our sleeping-bags, which are very warm and com- 
fortable. The washing conveniences are good and 
the mess excellent, — breakfast, lunch, tea, and 
dinner. There is a big ante-room for reading, writ- 
ing, etc. 

Dearest love to you both, and a happy Christ- 
mas. You will know that I am helping you in this 
big, shadowy time. 

France^ December 4, 1916 
Dear Father . 

I have been here at the base since Friday a.m., 
and expect to go up the line to-day. Things 
happen pretty quickly when they get started. I 
was in London for a week, and have a very good 
outfit. I sent the list to mother, so that she will 
know just what I have, and that I am very com- 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

fortable. The Fourth C.M.R. is an Ontario bat- 
talion, I think, and came over originally as cav- 
alry, but at present it is infantry, and I am look- 
ing forward to belonging to the main branch of 
the army. There is no question that at the pres- 
ent time the infantry is first. 

As was to be expected my mail is all astray 
somewhere, but I suppose it will gradually catch 
me up. I found a letter, dated November 15th, 
from you on my return to Crowborough : the first 
word I have had from you about the election. 
Nothing seems to affect your continual rush. I 
wish you could get off and come over here for a 
visit. Things are very quiet, though. You must 
bring mother over for the Peace Jubilee ' ' apres la 
Guerre." Affairs are beginning to take another 
far, far-away turn. The Rumanian reverse is not 
very pleasant. 

I have just finished a very good dinner in the 
mess and am now sitting in the lounge, listening 
to some very good music by the band. There is 
much enjoyment in an officer's life back of the line, 
but there things boil down pretty well. Apparently 
we will not move to-day. There is much I would 
like to tell you, but now that I am responsible for 
my own letters, it is going to be harder, instead of 
easier, to write. I am looking forward eagerly to 
getting back to the realities, and it is great inspi- 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

ration to know that you and mother are glad for 
me to go too. 

While I was in London, getting outfitted, I had 
tea with Mrs. Page at the Embassy and dinner 
with the L.'s. I am going now to see if I can hunt 
up an English church. This morning I moved up 
here, so did not have a chance. I will write often 
and give you all the news that the censor considers 
safe, which is not much. 

Much love to mother. 

France^ December 8, 1916 

Dear Father : 

Still at the base, though we expect to move up 
the line at any moment. Things are very comfort- 
able here. We have a very good mess and prac- 
tically nothing to do in the way of duty, except 
censoring mail, but I have done all the sitting 
around that I care to, and am anxious to get down 
to work of some sort. All my mail is forwarded to 
the battalion, so I can hear nothing from home 
until I arrive there. 

We have had plenty of opportunity to go into 
the city, and I have enjoyed poking around and 
airing my "rotten" French. There is something 
childish and eager about the French that I like very 
much, and I would love to live here for a while, 
but not now. Every night I have that wasted-day 

80 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

feeling — no one enjoys leave better than I do, 
but when I am on duty I want to do something. 

I hope that your rush of work is over, and 
things smoother. The chief item of interest here 
is the new Premier, and our greatest distress the 
fall of Bucharest. There is lots of work ahead for 
us all. 

Love to mother, and a very happy Christmas. 
We will be together again for the next, I hope. 
Probably we move soon, and then my letters will 
be more interesting. 

December 10, 1916 
Dearest Mother: 

I am still at the base, but have orders to join 
my battalion some time to-day, and am very glad. 
Doing nothing at all for a week has been a very 
unpleasant experience, especially as the camp is 
crowded with men undergoing rigorous training, 
and living in very uncomfortable conditions ; the 
contrast is too glaring. The changed condition I 
am living under was no part of our desire in this, 
so when I am thrown into a place where there is 
that and nothing else, it is revolting. 

War news as one gets it here is not encourag- 
ing ; especially the tide in Rumania seems going 
against us. We have a tendency, I think, to be 
too optimistic and too comfortable and sure of 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

things. That is especially so in England. As a 
matter of fact, though we shall win in the end, 
there is struggle and bitterness ahead for us all. I 
think the new English Premier will be a great ad- 
vantage to us. Every one has been inspired with 
his ability to get ahead with things. The crying 
need everywhere to-day is for leaders, and they are 
pitifully few. 

Well, dearest mother, you must not think I am 
not cheerful, for I am, and am looking ahead 
eagerly ; and you will know by my letters how 
much happier I am when I feel that I am where 
I should be. Dearest love to you and father, and 
another Happy Christmas, if this is in time. 

December 13, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I am writing this in a little French train, very 
near to my journey's end. I wrote you Sunday 
morning that I was due to leave the base that after- 
noon. It turned out that several of us had been 
told off to conduct drafts to their units in the field. 
I had to take men to three battalions of another 
division, and it was quite an undertaking. There 
were rations for emergency and for the journey to 
be taken over and distributed, and the men loaded 
on the train and generally looked after. We stopped 
at one place for half a day, which meant de-train- 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

ing and re-entraining. We reached our journey's 
end very late last night, and I was able to turn 
over my party intact, which was better luck than 
some had, several men having been lost en route ^ 
which is not unusual. 

Four of us spent the night in a French town of 
a fair size. There were, however, only two hotels, 
and after knocking the peevish proprietors to their 
second-story windows, we were assured, in spite 
of vigorous protest on our part, that they were 
" complet " : "Plus de chambres, messieurs." I 
was the only one of the party who could speak 
French at all, and as you know I am not unusu- 
ally proficient ; and the more desperate I became 
the less words I could think of, especially standing 
in the middle of the street, talking to a second- 
story window. My final effort was a very com- 
manding: "II faut," upon which madame re- 
plied, " II ne faut pas," and closed her shutters. 
After three days " en chemin de fer " of war-time, 
in the early hour of a bitterly cold raw morning, 
things were not very promising. 

We located the office of the town major, and a 
sleepy orderly offered us the hospitality of his tiled 
floor. It was very stuffy and smelly, so two of us 
did not accept. We found half a dozen big tour- 
ing-cars, with curtains down, parked outside the 
headquarters' building, and climbed inside, re- 

83 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

moved boots, and made beds out of the seat cush- 
ions. I found a blanket and a big goatskin rug in 
mine, and with my fleece-lined trench-coat to 
help, made myself luxuriously warm and comfort- 
able and had a delightful sleep. At seven this 
morning we returned to the hotel and found ma- 
dame in a better humor, had a good wash-up and 
very good breakfast, — omelet, '*cafe au lait," 
and bread and butter. Then we found a good bar- 
ber-shop and had a shave, and took a walk through 
the town, purchasing a few needed articles ; then 
went to the railway station and put our luggage on 
this train, which is proceeding leisurely on its way. 
We are very comfortable in a first-class coach, 
entirely surrounded by gray upholstery, and after 
a change at noon should get to our unit in the mid- 
dle of the afternoon. These little trains travel be- 
tween stations at about four miles per hour, and 
stop at every place for at least half an hour, though 
no one gets on or oflP, so one just takes life easy, 
and does not worry about time. I have thoroughly 
enjoyed all this experience, seeing the few French 
cities that I have, and the opportunity for talking. 
I would like to have a small French grammar, if 
you can pick one up, to brush up on my verbs 
and vocabulary. I would infinitely rather be here 
in France than Flanders. The atmosphere is en- 
tirely different and the people are fascinating. 

84 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

Well, we are getting near our change place, and 
I think I can mail this there. 

December 16, 1916 
Dearest Mother : 

I am writing this from my dug-out in the trenches , 
this being the second day I have been in. Christ- 
mas Day we hope to be in billets back of the line. 
I wrote you from the train on Wednesday. Wednes- 
day night we went to a reinforcement camp, where 
we spent the night, billeted comfortably in a farm- 
house ; then Thursday we moved up to our bat- 
talion transport line, and spent the night here in 
billets in a small village. Yesterday we came into 
the trenches where our battalion is, and were 
assigned to companies. My company is "D." 
Things are very comfortable here, and as good as 
can be expected. 

You must not worry, but just pray and go ahead 
living bravely, conscious that I am strengthened by 
your strength. God grant that things may be right 
in the end. I will write as often as I can, but prob- 
ably my letters will be short, because there is little 
I can tell you, beyond my own safety and good 
spirits, and then it is a little hard to get letters written 
properly excepting in billets . Yesterday at transport 
I found a letter from father, dated November 7th, so 
you can see how my mail has been delayed. I am 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

eagerly looking forward to the time when it catches 
up. I have been on duty and now just have time 
to catch a mail with this, so I must stop. 

Dearest mother, you know that you have all my 
love and gratitude, and I will try to do my best. 

December 18, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

I am still in the trenches, my tour not being over 
until next Saturday ; I am not in the front line, but 
in the supports. We only stay in the front line 
three days at a time. I have just been reading over 
the little Manual of Prayers for Workers which you 
sent me sometime ago. It is fine, especially the plea 
for duty before everything. There is a paragraph 
by Dean Church on ''Manliness," which takes 
for granted that man is called to a continual strug- 
gle with difficulties, and makes it a point of honor 
not to be dismayed by them ; and the ' ' quality 
which seizes on the idea of duty as something which 
leaves a man no choice ' ' ; that is the quality which 
I need most now, the strength to do my duty, and 
I pray for it hourly, and I know that you do it for 
me too. 

When I get out into billets my letters will be 
more interesting, but here there is little or nothing 
to tell you now. I can tell you, though, that my 
thoughts are with you and father and with your 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

anxieties and cares. You must just go ahead bravely 
with your duties as I must. Remember that I am 
well and happy and of a good heart. 

December 18, 1916 
Dear Father : 

Many happy returns of yesterday. I had you 
in my thoughts all day, but did not get a letter off. 
So far the only letter I have had from home since I 
have been here is a long one from you, dated No- 
vember 10th, and it was very welcome I can tell 
you. I am hoping some of mother's will catch up 
to me by to-night. I have been in the trenches 
since I arrived on Friday, but by Christmas I hope 
to be out in billets. Things are busy here and it is 
the place to realize war. All my hope and prayer 
is that I will have strength and courage to do my 
duty as you would have me. I am very comfort- 
able, happy and in good spirits, so you can have 
a peaceful mind regarding me. 

Dearest love to you and mother. 

Christmas Day,, 1916 
Darling Mother : 

To-day is my second Christmas away from 
home in my twenty-eight years . What joy it will be 
if God grants us one together again after this long 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

separation. I am going to start by telling you where 
I am. Picture a little French village with one long, 
narrow, cobbled street. At one end the street leaves 
the village and crosses over a deep railway cut and 
then wanders away through the rolling country. I 
should have told you that the village is on a hilltop. 
From the railway bridge, the street runs perhaps 
a hundred yards and then turns 90° to the left and 
runs downhill, but before you get to that there are 
two small streets on the right. The houses are low, 
one storied affairs of stone or white plaster, and 
tiled roofs and are lined right along the street, so 
that they are only about twenty feet apart. There 
are several larger houses with courtyards in front, 
with high walls. It is all beautifully picturesque 
in spite of my description. 

D Company billet is just at the turn of the main 
road. You go under a big gray stone archway, 
into a big quadrilateral courtyard about two hun- 
dred and fifty feet across. Just on the left is a two- 
story farmhouse and beyond a barn, and then stables 
all around the court to the arch again. All the 
buildings are gray brick and stone with red tiled 
roofs and rather old and weather-worn. There is a 
brick duck pond in the centre of the court, and a 
big collection of French farm wagons and army 
limbers and piles of hay. Altogether it is a very 
picturesque old place, and less than four miles from 

88 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

that famous streak of mud which separates the Allies 
and the Germans. 

The men are living in the loft of the barn, a big 
long place, and they have straw and bunks and 
brazier fires, but it is pretty cold and dark there, 
just the same. Still, the magnificent spirit of mak- 
ing the best of grim situations keeps them happy 
and cheerful. They sit at the long table with candles, 
and write letters, play cards, and so on, or around 
the braziers, and sing and tell stories. Just now they 
are patiently waiting for their Christmas dinner, 
which is due in about fifteen minutes. I hope that 
it will be a good one. 

We, the company officers, are waiting to go over 
and visit them while they are eating. Our billet is 
a room upstairs in a farmhouse. There are six of 
us, and we have cot-beds made of chicken wire, 
nailed on *' two by fours," and our sleeping-bags 
and blankets, so we are very comfortable. There 
is a fireplace in the room and we have a charcoal 
brazier in it to make things cheerful, and a table and 
our possessions. It is the old familiar life of which 
one reads so much, and because it is so like a story, 
there is a certain touch of romance ; D Company 
officers are especially nice chaps ; it would be 
hard to find a nicer half-dozen to be thrown to- 
gether, and you can imagine that we are thrown 
very close together. We live, sleep, and eat in 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the same room or dug-out, sharing duties and 
comforts. 

I said I thought it would be hard to find a nicer 
half-dozen. I think it would be impossible. They 
are the type of men I like. First, there is the Cap- 
tain, a Military Cross man, who made a wonderful 
record at the Somme. He is a perfect soldier, modest 
and gentie, and yet as firm as a rock ; cool and con- 
fident and determined. Then Captain G., who is 
pleasant and sensible ; Lieutenant B. , a big, strong, 
good-natured chap, who used to teach school; 
Lieutenant C, a little chap who is a newspaper 
writer, and very funny, and keeps every one's 
spirits up ; Lieutenant J., a boy of somewhat the 
Brinton H. type. All of them are a clean lot, with 
high living ideals. 

We came out of the line the day before yester- 
day, Saturday, about noon, and marched here. Our 
water tank had been hit by a shell, so there had 
been no washing for three days, and living three 
days in a muddy ditch is not conducive to cleanli- 
ness; we were simply plastered with mud from head 
to foot. It did not take us long to get our muddy 
things off and changed into clean things, washed, 
shaved, etc. Then we went up to the battalion 
mess, which we have when we are out in billets, 
and had a very good dinner. 

Sunday morning at eight our chaplain had an 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

early celebration in the Y.M.C.A. hut, which I went 
to, and, by the way, we have a splendid chaplain. 
Then I spent the morning straightening up my 
things and getting them clean, with my batman's as- 
sistance. In the afternoon we went and had a bath, 
which was a great luxury, and then at six the cap- 
tain took the whole company to an evening service 
in an old factory which had been fixed up as a 
cinema hall. It was just a big brick building, bare 
to the roof, with benches and a platform at one end, 
lighted up with two or three lamps. The floor was 
tiled and the inside of the walls have been white- 
washed long since. It was draughty and cold, but 
the place was filled and the service was a hearty one. 
We sang Christmas hymns, "Hark, the herald 
angels," and some that I did not know, and had an 
address. I do not think that I will ever forget the 
circumstances. It reminded me of the picture that 
I sent you of the French soldiers. 

This morning the ' ' Padre, ' ' as they call the chap- 
lain, had another early service at eight, to which I 
went. This afternoon I walked to another village 
about five miles away, where Charlie H.'s engineer 
company is billeted. We are in the same division, 
but when I got there I found that he was in the 
trenches; still I managed to get him on the 'phone 
and wished him Merry Christmas, and he asked me 
to come to dinner with him to-morrow. 

91 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

It is strange to be back again in this life at the 
Front, and now I am more really in it than ever, 
doing the actual infantry duty. Two nights last 
week I was out in "No Man's Land," between 
our lines and the Germans, in charge of a barbed- 
wire party, and managed to feel quite at home 
and comfortable there. It is a wonderful experi- 
ence, and, if one can live through it, will change 
life. I am sure now that I can never go back and 
go on with my own work for myself. If God 
wills that I do go back, I must go into service of 
some sort. Perhaps I will be able to go into the 
Church, and your long cherished hopes and prayers 
will be fulfilled. Life, here, is such a feeble little 
thing, so uncertain from hour to hour, that one 
cannot help knowing that it is a gift and entirely 
in God's hands. I desperately need that courage 
of duty to help me in my work, and if I have it 
now to face death, then I must have it afterward 
to face life. 

It is very late now, so I must stop, with my 
dearest Christmas love to you and father. 

December 27, 1916 

Dear Father : 

I am lucky enough to be in billets for Christ- 
mas. When I landed here my battahon was in the 
trenches, so I went right in, and was assigned to 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

D Company. It was the most fortunate thing that 
could have happened to me. . . . 

I discovered that Charlie H. was not very far 
away, and last night I rode over and had dinner 
with him. The captain lent me his horse and groom, 
or rather I rode the groom's horse and he rode the 
captain's, which is a little wild. I told the groom I 
could n't ride very well, so he rode beside me and 
I got along famously. It is the first time I ever rode 
a horse in my life, but I made up my mind that I 
would have to start some time, and it was inky 
dark, so no one could see how badly I was doing 
it. It was nine or ten miles there and back, and I 
enjoyed it tremendously. Charlie was delighted to 
see me and I had a fine dinner with him at his mess. 
He had invited me over the 'phone. After I had 
been with him for about half an hour, I noticed that 
he was wearing the Military Cross ribbon. It was 
the first I knew that he had won it. I congratulated 
him, but I knew he would hate to have me ask 
about it, so I did n't, but I know it was for some- 
thing at the Somme. Is n't it wonderful that both 
he and H. should have won it? They are certainly 
a great family. 

I wonder what you think of all the peace propa- 
ganda. Imagine Germany fighting for the protec- 
tion and freedom of small nations ! No one was 
more astonished than Germany at that, or quicker 

93 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

to deny it. Well, it is a strange state of affairs. We 
must buckle down now and win a decisive victory. 
Time is getting ripe. 

Things are going well with me, and I am in fine 
spirits. Help mother in her anxiety. God will an- 
swer our prayers and bring us all safe through. It 
is our share in this great struggle against evil. 

December 29, 1916 

Dearest Mother : 

This is the first letter on a little leather writing- 
pad that Mrs. L. sent me for Christmas. I am just 
back in the trenches and writing from the company 
dug-out. On Sunday morning I am going to be 
sent on a general instruction course about ten miles 
back of the line, and will be there for a week, or 
perhaps two, so this turn in the trenches will be a 
very easy one for me. 

Yesterday I received a letter from Father W. ad- 
dressed to me here. It is the first I have had, and 
I know that you have written several, so they are 
sure to arrive in a dav or two now, and I will know 
what you think of my being a lieutenant. Father 
W.'s letter was lovely, and he sent me a beautiful 
card. The week in billets was very pleasant, and 
I told you about our comfortable room and mess. 
There was very little work to be done, just some 
cleaning; altogether it was a good rest. I do hope that 

94 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

you are well and keeping happy in the knowledge 
that we are taking the right part in this struggle. 

The papers lately have been full of peace talk. 
It may open the way to discussion, which will be 
profitable, but there can be no doubt that we must 
fight on until Germany is willing to make full rep- 
aration. The world and civilization must be safe- 
guarded against a repetition of this horrible thing, 
and we are all willing to pay the necessary price. 
When I think of these boys out here, putting up 
with the most unheard-of hardships and difficulties 
and in the constant shadow of death, my heart goes 
out to them, and I only pray that I maybe worthy 
to be with them, and, if possible, help them through 
as an officer should. Somehow my little bronze 
crucifix came off* my coat on my journey up here. 
I have worn it constantly since you sent it, and now 
I feel badly not to have it. Can you send me an- 
other ? 

Darling mother, all my love is with you, and my 
thoughts. I will write to you very often. My love 
to father and Susan and her dear family. 

January 1, 1917 
Dearest Mother: 

This is the first day of the year, which I hope 
and pray will bring us all peace. What a strange 
time we have come to live in, with nearly the whole 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

world involved in a terrible struggle and conflict. 
How little you thought, when you were a child, 
with the echo of the terrible Civil War in your 
heart, that you would some day have a son in the 
battle line ! And now, although we know that Ger- 
many is desperately anxious for peace and Austria 
even more, yet we know, too, that we must go 
ahead and fight until the invaded countries are free 
and the menace to future generations destroyed. 

When one thinks of the thousands of men who 
have given their lives that this victory may be won, 
and when one realizes that now as we keep stead- 
ily on, we can surely win, the thought of anything 
else is weak and dishonorable and unworthy of 
God who is guiding us. I often think of Nurse 
Cavell and how bravely and calmly she gave her 
life for the cause ; that should help you, too, for 
she was a woman just as you are, and the same 
sort of woman, I imagine. Thousands of splendid 
men have given their lives, and women have given 
their sons and husbands, and we coming after must 
offer the same thing and be willing to give it, too, 
for it is a common cause. If we stop and think for 
a minute of the terror and misery and tragedy that 
has been wrought, and we know that this can be 
spared future generations if we press on to the 
finish, how little one life seems for one to give, and 
yet it is all that is asked of us. 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

Mother, if you could only see these boys in the 
ranks, cheerfully enduring the most frightful hard- 
ships, and facing horrors with the most inspiring 
and indomitable courage and determination, your 
heart would nearly burst with joy and pride, and 
you would know that God was going to give us 
victory. Just now the trenches are in a frightful 
condition of mud and water, and it is utterly im- 
possible for the men to keep dry or to have dry 
dug-outs to sleep in. They are in a state of misery, 
as far as physical comfort goes, for days at a time, 
and yet they stand all night, often for sixteen hours 
at a stretch, in pouring rain and under intermittent 
fire, looking out over the parapet into the darkness 
of **No Man's Land," guarding humanity; and 
if you walk along and ask them how they are get- 
ting on, the answer will be a cheery '* Everything 
fine, sir. " Then they will go out at night on work- 
ing parties and stand in water up to their knees 
and try to shovel mud that won't shovel, for four 
hours at a time and perhaps without any supper ; 
and let a bombardment start, they will quietly take 
their posts in exposed positions and stay there or 
drop. This is just trench routine. You know what 
they did at the Somme, advancing into the mouth 
of an indescribable hell. 

These are just New Year's thoughts, and come 
chiefly from the thought of that final peace which 

97 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

I hope this year will bring, and the peace which 
the enemy is spreading abroad in a final endeavor 
to stem the tide. 

As for me, I am just starting two very pleasant 
weeks, attending a divisional training school, quite 
a distance back of the line and in a very comfort- 
able billet. I will write you more about it, but now 
I must catch the mail. I did not like to leave the 
others in that slough of mud, but it was orders, 
and it will make me more efficient in the end. 
Dearest mother, I am full of love for you and 
father and all at home, and want to be worthy of 
you. I have had hard luck with my mail, but will 
have it soon. 

January 3, 191 7 
Dear Father : 

Fortune has favored me, in a way, by sending 
me out of the trenches for two weeks at a time 
when they were in a frightfully muddy condition. 
I am at a training school, a short distance back of 
the line, taking a general course of instruction. 
The information I am getting is very valuable, 
and my living conditions are very comfortable. 

I am billeted in a big, old-fashioned French farm- 
house, the variety that you go into from the road, 
through an archway, and find yourself in a big 
court-yard. In this particular one, which is of gray 

98 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

stone with red tiled roofs, there is what appears to 
be a high wall along the road, with an arch at the 
right hand end. When you get inside you see that 
the wall is the back of a line of stables, and there 
is a similar line on the right. The court itself is 
about two hundred feet square, and filled up with 
the usual piles of straw and old wagons. There is 
a big barn on the left, and at the back, facing the 
entrance, a big house. I have a large square room, 
with a red tiled floor and a stove and a smaller 
room opening off* it with a very comfortable bed. 
I brought a man with me to keep my things clean 
and look after the room, light the fires in the even- 
ing, etc., and so I live like an aristocrat. 

There is a very good mess and the meals are 
very enjoyable. Our hours are from 8.30 a.m. un- 
til 5 P.M., and an hour from 8.30 to 9.30 in the 
evening, which does not leave very much outside 
for writing or reading. Dinner is a parade and 
usually a long drawn out, tiresome affair, which 
takes from 7 till 8.30, so practically our only free 
time is from 5 to 7 and after 9.30. 

The chief thing of interest in the war news at 
present is all the peace propaganda, notes coming 
from every direction, thick and fast. This morn- 
ing's paper said that the Allies' reply to Berlin had 
been favorably received in the U.S.A. I know that 
your sentiments echo it. To accept any terms of 

99 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Germany's now, or even to discuss them, would be 
worse than folly. We are fighting for a peaceful 
future, and the only hope for that is to shatter the 
Prussian military power and prospects. Rumanian 
news is still unpleasant, and may lengthen things, 
but we know that victory is coming, so we can 
afford to wait quietly until the tide turns. I am in 
fine condition and spirits, and am thankful to be 
here with a chance to accomplish something. 

Dearest love to mother. My letters are short, but 
they will be frequent. 

January 4, 1917 
Darling Mother : 

Things are going well at the school and I am 
learning new and valuable lessons. It is an indi- 
cation of the thoroughness of this war, that the 
training of officers and men is continuous, and 
methods and equipment are constantly improved. 
The lessons of two months ago are cancelled and 
something utterly different taught. It is this sleep- 
less energy and the straining of every mind that 
will bring us victory in the end. 

To-night I had a wonderful surprise, there was 
a batch of mail for me : a letter from you , one 
from father, four from Toronto, and a Christmas 
card from my old resident engineer on the C.P.R. 
Yours and father's were both dated December 8th, 

100 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

so I have missed two anyway, but the last I had 
before that was dated November 24th. The others 
will probably come. It is wonderful that my mail 
has had so few mishaps when others have lost so 
much. Aunt G. sent me a parcel from London on 
December 3d, with some underwear and things 
I left behind by mistake, and it has never reached 
me. That, so far as I know, is the first parcel I have 
ever lost. 

You can imagine what joy it was to have a letter 
from you, after waiting so long. You have so an- 
swered my thoughts, as to the event of my finish- 
ing my work out here. It is a tremendous comfort 
to think of you facing the issue and ' ' carrying on ' ' 
so bravely. After all, that is what we are called on 
to do in this life, wherever we are, and the final 
moment for all of us may come at any time. 
We both trust in God's will and direction ; for 
the rest, it is the business of the hour. How won- 
derful it will be if we can be together again at 
home. You are right to be praying for my cour- 
age ; that is my greatest need and much depends 
on it. 

Do you remember that I used to give you dates 
for thanksgiving for mercies shown to me? An- 
other one is December 20th. 

Germany's attitude toward the smaller neutral 
states is becoming threatening. Surely the United 

101 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

States cannot suffer another violation of neutral ter- 
ritory. 

Dearest mother, Good-night. One of my chief 
helps and desires now is writing to you, so you may 
be sure letters are always on the way. 

January 8, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

Yesterday another little letter came from you, 
dated December 15th, only a note you wrote to catch 
an extra mail. It is a trial to have had things in the 
post line go so consistently wrong, but it is to be 
expected, I suppose. There has been trans-channel 
trouble lately, and then the Christmas congestion 
would naturally cause delay. Parcels have not come, 
and the letters which I received from you since ar- 
riving in France are dated November 24th,^25th, 
December 8th and 15th. You can easily fill in the 
gaps. I know there are mathy, and father's of No- 
vember 10th, November 24th, and December 8th. 
One of these days I will have a big batch. I hope it 
will be soon. I know it will be a disappointment to 
you that they have n't come, especially the Christ- 
mas parcel and wishes, but I know the love, and it 
will be all the same when I do have them. Perhaps 
mine to you are missing in the same way. Father 
W.'s letter of December 5th came right through, 
and was the first I had addressed ' ' Lieut. ' ' Do not 

102 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

think that I am unhappy or disappointed ; it is a 
foregone conclusion that one misses out in mail 
when you make a change, and from now on, things 
will come regularly and the others will catch up 
gradually and be all the more welcome after the 
wait. 

We started on our second week of the course to- 
day. Part of the divisional staff are moving to this 
village for quarters and have taken over the billets, 
so I have lost my nice farmhouse. We have all 
moved into a big hut, which is fitted up with bunks 
and has two good stoves and is really remarkably 
comfortable. I have my sleeping-bag and an extra 
blanket and a canvas water-bucket, for toilet pur- 
poses. To actually live in a regular house with the 
customary perquisites, without the knowledge that 
it would only last a week, would be a wonderful 
feeling after this camping experience. This is my 
fifteenth month. The dug-out living is still new to 
me, but I suppose I will soon be used to it too. 

We have had some beautiful days here. It hardly 
seems possible that it is January, and I am still in 
love with the country. There are rolling fields and 
farm lands, picked out by tree-bordered roads, and 
one can usually see a half-dozen villages on the ho- 
rizon, with the inevitable church spire, and on the 
hilltops are a sprinkling of long-armed windmills. 
The country roads are very straight and well-paved, 

103 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

and invariably lined on each side with high pop- 
lars. One thing you would notice are the big life- 
sized crucifixes one meets along the roads, in prom- 
inent places. Some of the crosses are made of real 
trees. Generally there is a little iron gate and hedge- 
lined approach. Then, too, there are little shrines 
with the image of the Virgin in them. You come 
on these in the most unexpected places. Yesterday 
I saw one in a niche in the gable end of a very 
ordinary-looking brick house. 

The news one finds in the papers nowadays 
seems to portend things. I do not exactly know 
what. The conquest of Rumania seems practically 
complete, and yet it has not been an entirely satis- 
factory victory. There is much said of the possi- 
bility of Von BernstorfF's recall and a more definite 
policy on the part of the United States. One thing 
is sure, the Allies are going to make a determined 
effort to force peace, a righteous and permanent 
peace. 

Your last letter said that all were well at home. 
It is a comfort to think of the home life going stead- 
ily and bravely ahead. Dearest love to you all. 

January 12, 1917 

Dearest Mother: 

Another letter came from you on Wednesday, 
forwarded from Crowborough and dated Novem- 

104 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

ber 17th. It makes me think that they will all come 
eventually, and no matter when they come your 
letters are a joy to me, so that this delay only 
means that I am rolling up pleasures ahead. I sent 
word Wednesday to the battalion to hold my mail, 
so when I go back Sunday I expect to find some 
more. 

The course is nearly over. To-morrow, I think, 
is the last day. I have learned a great deal, and 
the comfortable living was welcome. I wish I could 
give it to all the men who are standing by along the 
line. Sometimes I have thought that I was not doing 
enough, but the final fact is that we are here, ready 
to do or suffer anything necessary, and here we 
stay as long as it is a physical possibility, until the 
victory is won. In the end, it is man power that 
will overcome, and each individual furnishes all he 
can of that and adds his part of the collective will 
to conquer. 

In your letter you speak of the war stretching 
out interminably ? It does in a way seem so, and 
yet determined as the resistance has been, and skil- 
ful as the enemy's strategists are, there must be 
a limit to their powers. We will not know what 
that limit is until we come on it suddenly, like the 
breaking-point of a steel bar after it has been 
stretched. The Somme battle not only revealed an 
unexpected ability and determination to resist, on 

105 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the part of the enemy, but an unexpected power 
and determination on our part to break through 
the most impregnable defences, and to beat down 
the most stubborn resistance. Winter halted op- 
erations before either could be fully developed, so 
our power, our final power, is still unknown, but 
the next campaign should solve the enigma. Far- 
seeing Germany is not confident. There is no other 
possible meaning to her offer of peace. We are 
confident ; our reply signifies that. Military science 
gives that feeling primary importance in success- 
ful warfare. I am confident because I have seen 
and know the feeling of the men. It is as if a great 
river must be bridged by building a causeway of 
human bodies to allow those that come after to 
cross in safety. It has been half-built already, thou- 
sands of men have thrown themselves in and 
formed a strong foundation, but it is still far below 
the water level. The bridge must be built, and we 
are ready and waiting for the order to advance. 

Clouds are gathering on the horizon of the Cen- 
tral Empires. The Austrians and Hungarians are 
growing uneasy and need delicate handling, and 
now that affairs approach a crisis the veil is drawn 
aside and Germany is showing her teeth to the 
neutrals. Cardinal Mercier writes, if conditions in 
Belgium were known and believed, every civilized 
man would take up arms. They are n't believed, 

106 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

but Holland, Switzerland, and Denmark will be- 
lieve if they are invaded. The United States will 
believe something if her European commerce is 
blockaded. The Spanish Government is brushing 
away the mental cobwebs. I think we, you and 
father and all, may face this new year with a happy 
confidence in the future, with the knowledge that 
all of us out here, and you over there, are deter- 
mined to storm through the evil and right this 
terrible wrong. We have heard the cry of anguish 
and are answering it. It may be that God does not 
require my body for this causeway, but if that is 
his choice, we are ready and willing to give, and 
that way is the road to victory. 

I feel as though I had been giving away a little 
to a heroic style of writing, but you know that I 
do not mean it that way. I know things are hard 
for you and I want to let you know that it is n't 
in vain that there is a definite goal you are fight- 
ing to reach, and are going to reach. I want you 
to feel the strength that comes to a fighter who 
knows that he will win. 

Dearest love to you and father. 

January 17, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

We are out of the trenches again for our rest in 
billets. I was only in for two days after returning 

107 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

from the training school, and they were very quiet. 
Your letter which I have been waiting for so very 
long is come. It was written after receiving mine 
from London when I was getting my kit ; and just 
now come the letter you wrote on December 5th, 
when you received my cable, and also one dated 
December 29th, telling me that you had received 
my Christmas cable and the little French Christmas 
cards. It was a great joy having all your news of 
Christmas, and to think of your dressing the church 
and thinking of me while you were doing it, and 
then going to the six o'clock mass early Christmas 
morning, and your Christmas dinner with the little 
tree and my picture underneath. It all brings home 
back to me so. 

You say I have never been in 2510, and yet I 
feel as though I have been there. Iknow^ just how 
it looks. I know the street and the neighborhood, 
and I know all the dear old furniture and the in- 
side atmosphere of our home, which never changes, 
— our Lares and Penates, — and I picture you and 
father there at the two ends of our round table. It 
was a dear memory and knowledge. If I just shut 
my eyes I can hear you talking. I can never know 
a table which so utterly satisfies my mind and soul 
as my own home, and now that I have gone so far 
away and seen other countries and known that ex- 
perience of facing death in another land, I have 

108 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

fulfilled the tearing desire of seeking life away from 
home. L. E., when I tried to explain to him why 
I couldn't be happy in Philadelphia just going 
ahead, said it was the usual thing," and that an 
engineer was never any good until he had given 
rein to the wandering spirit and allowed it to run 
out. He said that the time would come when it 
would go away, and I know that it has now. If 
I do not finish my work here, there is no telling 
where I may finally be called, but in any case I will 
be happy to settle, and if it should be at home, I 
will be very happy there. 

I know that having my letter was a comfort to 
you, as you finished the work of dressing the 
church. I am so glad you all like the French cards. 
I thought they were lovely, and specially the sol- 
diers worshipping. There was a very sweet little 
French girl in the shop where I bought them who 
spoke very good English, which she said she 
learned at school. She spent about an hour hunt- 
ing cards for me, and was very interested in Billy 
and Margy and the cards and little books I found 
for them. In the end I gave her a franc, and she 
did n't want to take it until I said, "Pour Noel " ; 
then she was full of smiles and said, " Merci bien, 
monsieur." 

To-night, father's letter of congratulation, writ- 
ten when he received my cable, came too, both on 

109 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the same day, yours and his. And now I come 
to your Christmas parcel ; that came too, and to- 
night at supper we had the little Christmas tree 
on the table with the candles lighted, and every 
one admired it. I loved everything in the parcel ; 
the little towel and cold cream soap were so ex- 
actly the sort of thing I liked, the outside world 
touch, — and your Christmas crullers, they were 
delicious ! One of my fellow subalterns in D Com- 
pany, one of the nicest little chaps you ever knew, 
said to tell you that they were the best things he 
ever tasted. I told him he ought to see them when 
they were just baked. And the dates, and fruit- 
cake, and crackers were delicious. I loved it all, 
and the thought that you and father had been 
thinking of me, and I loved the card in your last 
letter, the Belgian Madonna, and the little card 
that brought ^'Merrie Christmas over land and 
sea, ' ' which a boy was selling ' ' to help his mother. ' ' 
It was a dear little appeal. 

It is getting late, so I will stop for a while, but 
I have much more to tell you to-morrow. 

Dearest love to father. 

January 18, 1917 
Dear Father : 

Your letter of December 6th, saying that you have 
received my cable, and your last, December 27th, 

110 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

are both here. From now on I think that my mail 
will come regularly. I am glad you like the gloves. 
They were just a remembrance. I spent an hour on 
Regent Street, my last afternoon in London. It was 
crowded with Christmas shoppers, and the bright 
stores were very attractive in contrast to the dark- 
ened streets. The shop where I got the gloves was 
full of fascinating things of leather. 

London seems a long way off now. We are out 
on another short rest in billets, and this time in huts, 
but quite comfortable ones. After finishing at the 
school, I went back into the trenches for two days, 
and then came out with the company. We put up 
for two nights in the upstairs of a town hall. Most 
of the window panes were out, so it was rather bleak 
and chilly. The mayor lived in an adjoining house 
and had a warm living room, with a stove in it, so 
the captain and I and one of the other D Company 
subs paid him a visit. He is a very pleasant and 
hospitable old chap, and his wife and daughter were 
pleasant too, and we spent the better part of the 
evening there, talking broken French. His wife 
made coffee, and he brought out the Cognac bottle 
and added a little sparkle to it. It was very good. 
He showed us the picture of his son, who is an offi- 
cer in the French artillery, and a fine-looking chap 
with a full beard. 

To-day we moved to our present location, and it 

111 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

is possible that we will make another move before 
we go into the line again. The military situation 
is in the portentous stage. I wish I could discuss 
things more with you, but even this allusion is for- 
bidden. You are really in a much better position to 
know and follow developments than I am, and form 
your own conclusions. We can only hope and pray 
for a speedy victory. I think that the Allies' terms 
were the reasonable and just outcome of what has 
happened, but whether we can gain them all is still 
uncertain. The United States is really acting as an 
intelligent outsider in that it has offered a means for 
the belligerents, or rather the Allies, to make a defi- 
nite statement of terms without attempting useless 
negotiations. It is a day of momentous happenings, 
but I hope it will come to an end before many more 
months, the fighting part of it anyway, and the ci- 
vilian suffering which the fighting is causing. Still, 
we must win a victory, or the people in Europe will 
suffer interminably. 

Dearest love to you and mother. 

January 20, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

We are still in billets ; that is, out of the trenches, 
but I do not know for how many days. We moved 
from the Mairie, where I wrote you last Wednes- 
day, and now we are in a hut camp. It is very com- 

112 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

fortable, especially our quarters. We have beds and 
a very hot stove. It is a little too hot for me. The 
ground is covered with snow and there is a brisk 
snap to the air. To-day has been beautiful. We 
are rather at loose ends just now, on the eve of a 
reorganization, so there are no parades or regular 
work. This afternoon I hope to be able to arrange 
a bathing parade to a near-by village, where there 
are some baths. Charles H.'s company headquar- 
ters are in this place, but he is in the line just now. 
I called him up on the telephone and had a little talk 
with him. 

I know how much you are with me in your heart 
and thought all the time, and it is strength and com- 
fort for me to know that you are going ahead with 
your work, just as steadily as we all must. Pres- 
ident Wilson's note gave the belligerents a chance 
to exchange views without entering into negotia- 
tion relations ; that is exactly what the Allies wanted 
and what Germany did not want, and there is no 
question who came out on top in the exchange of 
opinions. Germany now has our official word as to 
what we are fighting for, and how little we expect 
an early or easy settlement. The German people, 
too, ought to have a more sober and thorough re- 
alization of actual conditions . There is no doubt that 
the United States will be able to play an important 
part in future events. 

113 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

You were asking me about things to send. It is 
the little toilet things I need, mainly tooth brush 
and paste ; about once every two months, though, 
is often enough for the former. Just at present I 
need a hair brush and comb, not two brushes, just 
one small one, the smaller the better ; and, if you 
can, make a little bag to hold it. I have two bath 
towels and two or three little face towels you have 
sent, but I would like one of those little rubber 
sponges, and handkerchiefs, and an occasional pair 
of socks are always most welcome. Your friend, 
Mrs. H., sent me a lovely knitted scarf, which I 
must acknowledge. 

It is time for me to go off and try to arrange for 
the baths, so I will stop for a while. Dearest love to 
you and father and Susan. 

January 23, 1917 
Dear Father : 

Your letters of December 20th and 22d came this 
week, and I had that of the 29th more than a week 
ago. I hope that my letters are beginning to come 
through fairly regularly now, though we cannot ex- 
pect too much under the circumstances. It must 
have taken a long time to get the first ones from 
France. 

What do you think of this new raider? The 
Germans are very consistent with their high sea 

114 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

offensive, and we cannot underestimate the seri- 
ousness of the situation. The raider and subma- 
rine are Germany's most formidable weapons, and 
greatly increase the power of resistance. Everything 
is well with me. 

We are back in support, but instead of being 
in the trenches are billeted in a ruined, or semi- 
ruined, village just behind, and as usual have fixed 
things up comfortably. There was a stove in very 
good condition in the room in which we have taken 
our quarters, and it serves the double purpose of 
keeping us warm and cooking our meals. The 
engineers built us a table and some benches and 
bunks for furniture. It is still cold and clear, and the 
snow is still on the ground, which makes things 
very pretty and not at all warlike. 

When you said that bringing the Kaiser to his 
knees is the only way out, I think you summed up 
the whole situation. As George Ade would put it, 
you said a ' ' mouthful. ' ' But there is a tremendous 
task ahead of us. Your three ' ' North Americans ' ' 
arrived this evening, with their editorials on Pres- 
ident Wilson's note. I enjoyed them very much, 
and they seemed to sum up the situation. There is 
no question but that Germany will launch forth her 
U-boat warfare at the first good opportunity, and 
then the United States will either be involved or sit 
still and suffer a virtual blockade. If only our far- 

115 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

seeing statesmen would understand how they could 
secure their own safety, as well as that of Europe 
and the world, by closing in and taking the bull by 
the horns and helping us to wipe out this menace 
to the world ! 

It is late, and I must take a working party into 
the trenches early to-morrow morning, so I must 
stop. 

Very much love to you both. 

January 24^ 1917 

Dearest Mother : 

Your letter of December 20th came the other 
night, although I had one dated the 24th last week. 
The last was written in the Harrisburg State House. 
I remember the capitol and the gray squirrels in 
the park very well. 

The cold weather is still with us, and the snow 
has not melted since it came down a week ago. 
The country is very beautiful. It stretches away 
from here very smoothly, and one can see several 
villages and the tree-bordered roads. Everything 
sparkles in the sunshine, and one can hardly be- 
lieve the constant rumble and roar of guns, far 
away and close at hand. This little village has 
been shelled heavily in its history, but a large pro- 
portion of it is still in good condition and one can 
easily imagine what it must be like in peace time. 

116 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

It all centres about the little church, which faces a 
big, open park. There is a great, jagged hole torn 
out of one side of the steeple, a famiHar sight over 
here. Then there are the usual half-dozen or so 
big houses, with spacious grounds surrounded with 
high walls of stone or brick. 

France in peace time must be lovely, but now 
in these towns that I see, many of the houses are 
ruined, and those that are n't are dilapidated and 
in bad repair. Houses that are uninhabited are 
dismal looking enough, but a village in that con- 
dition is intensely so. This special one has been 
taken over by troops for billeting purposes, so it is 
clean and neat, but homeless. We are quartered 
in the kitchen, living room, of a little cottage in 
quite good repair. There was one of those French 
stoves in it, which keep us warm and cook our 
meals and the engineers built us bunks, benches, 
and a table. There is a crucifix on the wall, as is 
invariable in French cottages, and a big composi- 
tion statue of the Virgin, about three fe^t high, on 
a pedestal. It is very pretty, and one of the bat- 
men washed it with a rag and water. 

I know how your mind flashes out its wireless 
messages to me, and you may be sure that mine 
responds to it. I always think of you especially in 
the most trying times, and you always seem near 
to me. Pray that I will have strength and cour- 

117 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

age when my testing time comes. Dearest mother, 
you are one of the blessed islands in a world that 
seems a shifting, uncertain sea. Love to father 
and Sue. Good-night, dear. 

January 28, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

Your long letter, started on New Year's morn- 
ing, came to me day before yesterday, and was 
full of comfort and strength. I thought the state- 
ment by the Churchmen in the ' ' North Ameri- 
can" was splendid, and almost voiced the Allies' 
thought in prosecuting the war to a finish, so that 
in future any nation which contemplates breaking 
treaties and international laws will hesitate to call 
up the indignation and resistance of all nations. I 
also received your copy of the programme of the 
meeting of the Academy of Music to protest against 
the deportation of the Belgians. The list of names 
seems very important and representative, and such 
resolutions as the meeting passed should have 
weight at Washington. By now you have the 
Allies' reply to the President's note and Mr. Bal- 
four's further message. Both, I think, were very 
clear and good. There is nothing for us to do, but 
wait the event of our offensive, and pray that we 
may succeed in our effort. For me, you must pray 
for strength and courage to do my duty. 

118 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

You know by now that Charlie H. has been 
wounded. I did not know until yesterday morn- 
ing, when I went to his headquarters to try to 
locate him. They told me he was at a clearing 
station about six miles away, and so yesterday 
afternoon I walked to it and saw him. He looked 
very pale and weak, but they say he is going to 
pull through all right. He expected to be sent to 
England to-day, and I do hope he was, and will 
arrive there very shortly. His poor wife and mother 
must have suffered great anxiety, but now I be- 
lieve they have relief and comfort in store for 
them. Charles's wound is serious, and it will be 
a long, long time before he is in shape again. 
What a mercy that his wife is where she can be 
with him in his sickness. 

You were right about my experience at the base 
being only a momentary prosperity. There is no 
lack of opportunity for service of every kind, and 
it is entirely up to the individual how much he 
does. I am afraid that I might have made more 
use of myself up to the present, but I am trying 
to do my best. It takes a big man to be worthy 
of stars. We have been in billets now for two 
weeks, and to-morrow we expect to go back into 
the line for a short tour. Naturally, just at pres- 
ent there is some uncertainty about things. The 
weather still stays very cold and the snow is frozen 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

hard on the ground. I was talking to a French- 
man who gave me a lift in his cart on my way 
back from seeing Charlie H. at the hospital, and 
he told me that it was only cold here, this way, 
every fourth year. So far as the trenches are con- 
cerned it improves conditions, for the sides are 
stiff and the mud dried up. 

My company commander is in the hospital in the 
same w^ard that Charlie H. is, with the ''grippe." 
He just sent me word by his groom that Charlie 
is still there, and not likely to be moved for several 
days. More anxious waiting for them all, I am 
afraid. 

Well, dearest, it is getting near the time for the 
mail to go out, so I had better close. As always I 
am in splendid health and of good heart, only anx- 
ious for the time to come when I can do my utmost 
for this cause we have so much at heart. May 
God bless my desire to be worthy, with the power 
to act. Surely it is his will that I am serving here 
with the Allies. Much love to father. I have his 
French dictionary. Good-night, dear heart. 

January 31, 1917 
Dearest Mother: 

I am writing this in a front-line dug-out. This 
is our third day in the line and we have three 
more to go, I think, possibly a few more. It has 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

been quite cold and the ground is still covered with 
snow. Last night it snowed quite a lot more. It is 
a very pretty picture, and a new one to me to see 
the trenches in this condition. The nights just now 
are very bright with moonlight, and one gets to 
like going through the trenches and out in the 
saps. So far things have been very quiet. Last 
night was especially so ; this morning I was on 
duty at six o'clock, just as day was breaking, and 
it was the most beautiful rosy dawn. The guns 
had been quiet for an hour or two, and some sweet 
noted birds were fluttering around. Things of that 
sort bring home the realization of the peacefulness 
of peace. 

It is hard for me to feel justified in deliberate 
hostile planning, and yet one cannot help doing it. 
I must remember that though perhaps these men 
desire peace as greatly as any one, yet they are the 
tools of those who have destroyed peace, and we 
can only gain our end by continually harassing 
and destroying them, and wearing down their 
morale. It is a grim business, and I hope it will 
come to an end before many months. What every- 
thing really hinges on is a concentrated offensive, 
and I hope that it may not be long in coming. I 
have not seen a paper now since last Saturday, 
and one is quite isolated here, so I do not know 
what developments may have taken place on other 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

fronts ; there are always rumors circulating. Time 
passes quickly enough, but one longs for the day 
of decision to come. However, it is not for me, 
who have been here but a little more than a month, 
to be impatient, when some have been here for two 
years. 

Dearest mother, good-bye for a while. Dearest 
love to father. 

February 3, 1917 

Dearest Mother : 

Day before yesterday I received two letters from 
you, January 8th and 12th, and two of the same 
date from father. My mail is coming very satis- 
factorily now, and I have letters in two or three 
mails from you each week. You had received my 
first two letters from the trenches when I was just 
breaking in again. It was a little hard for me, 
and my letters must have shown it, but now I am 
as good as ever. My spirits are of the best, and I 
am quite content to live in the present and ' ' carry 
on ' ' with my duty in the best way that I know 
how. We are still in the front line and probably 
have a day or two more. 

Your description of the meeting in the Academy 
of Music is very inspiring. If popular feeling is 
really so strong, it should lead to action, but the 
mills of the gods are very slow. I think most 

122 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

English people feel that their government is doing 
its best to carry out their wishes just now. Any- 
one who can see no threat to the U.S. in the 
avowed submarine intentions of Germany must be 
blind. Why wait till the crash comes before act- 
ing? 

I am glad that Billy likes his boy scout suit. It 
wasn't a very elaborate one, but I do not think 
one more so would have pleased him more. As I 
remember my ' ' little boy days ' ' the hat was the 
main feature of any outfit, and such other details 
as a sword or a belt were more than sufficient ac- 
companiments . Next Christmas he shall have some 
regulation things, and when he is eight he must 
be a '' tenderfoot." I think it is a splendid thing. 

There cannot be a man out here who feels more 
content about home than I. You and father have 
made it so clear that my duty to you is not neg- 
lected by my being here. I must stop for a while 
now and censor some of the men's letters, so that 
they will catch this mail. Dearest love to you 
both. 

February 7, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

Your letter of January 19th came day before yes- 
terday. I do not know that the inails are running 
very often now, but your letters come two or three 

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AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

times a week and give me great joy. I am glad 
you like the French picture. I really did not think 
it would amount to anything, but just wanted to 
give you an idea of the uniform. I was n't able to 
find much of a photographer, but I am glad he 
managed to make a picture that pleased you. 

We came out of the front line, where we had 
been for seven days, yesterday, and in all that 
time I had n't seen a newspaper. You can imagine 
my feelings on reading of Germany's U-boat note 
and the crisis in the United States. Then yester- 
day we learned that BernstorfF and his colleagues 
had been given their passports and Gerard re- 
called, so in the twinkling of an eye, the thing we 
have been longing for so long has happened. Now, 
we can breathe freely and hold our heads up. I 
remember saying in a letter to you last week that 
there was no doubt about the menace to the United 
States in the new submarine policy. To-day it 
seems as though war was inevitable. I can im- 
agine how excitement must run high at home, 
and the crowds watching the bulletin boards. I 
know the people want the President to act quickly 
to protect us against external and internal attacks, 
and I think that he will do it. We can never sub- 
mit to the weekly trip to Falmouth which Ger- 
many has instructed us to make, and there is only 
one other alternative ; the Central Empires are tak- 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

ing their last desperate chance and are determined 
to go through with it. This great time is what you 
have foreseen for the last two years. We could not 
keep out and go free. There is suffering and trou- 
blous times ahead for all of us. The main thing is to 
act quickly, and not allow Germany to strike first. 

Our papers are a day late, but I am impatient 
for to-morrow. I long to hear that we have de- 
clared war and will send an army to France. It 
will mean suffering, but will hasten the end and 
will bring peace to the world sooner. It is strange 
to think of all the excitement and tense feeling at 
home, and to sit here not very far back of the 
line, in all the busy action and sounds that tell of 
the Allied determination to prosecute the matter to 
the finish. I did not realize before what a tremen- 
dous stimulus there is in the thought that one 
is doing this for one's own country. If by any 
chance we do have an army here, and it is pos- 
sible for me to transfer to it, I surely will. That 
is a wonderful thought, to be fighting under the 
American flag. 

I have been attending a special *' two-day" 
course on tactics these last two days, so that I 
have n't written, my time was so full. It is still 
intensely cold and the snow unmelted. The expe- 
rience of the trenches under such exceptional win- 
ter conditions was worth having. 

125 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

Well, dear mother, I must stop now; it is very 
late. Dearest love to you and father. Good- 
night. 

February 9, IQUT 
Dear Father : 

I have letters from you dated January 5th, 8th, 
12th, and 19th. My letters are coming with great 
regularity and frequency now. I am wondering if 
the U-boats will manage to hold the mail up. I can 
hardly wait for the paper every morning, to see 
what further has been developed in the American 
situation. It is too bad that the German crews were 
permitted to disable their ships, for they would prove 
valuable for transport and labor purposes. I hope 
that the United States will not have to learn from 
bitter experience the necessity of the internment of 
enemy subjects in case war is declared. Undoubt- 
edly there will be much internal trouble and plot- 
ting, but nothing, I think, that cannot be handled 
by our police and regular forces. Last summer's 
mobilization and training camps should stand us in 
good stead now. 

You are right about the C.M.R.'s, they have 
had a very eventful history in France. My com- 
pany commander is one of the very few original 
battalion officers left, and I have already told you 
how marvellously he escaped at the Somme. 

126 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

The weather is still very cold and the snow has 
shown no sign of going away. I keep well and we 
always manage to fix up very comfortably. We 
have our cook and servants and run a company 
mess, which is very good and costs less than two 
francs a day, which you must admit isn't much. 
My combination bed-roll and valise is great. Of 
course it can't be taken into the line, but when we 
are out it always assures us a warm, comfortable 
sleep. I wish all the men had them. 

This fine weather brings the aeroplanes in swarms, 
and there is usually a fight or shelling going on. I 
can hear our guns shelling a German plane now. 
The Archies are easily distinguishable from other 
artillery. This morning they brought one down, 
but I was a minute too late to see it. I think I will 
go out and have a look now. He got away from 
here, but other batteries in the distance are picking 
him up. The sky is dotted with tiny white clouds 
from the shell-bursts. 

I wish I could sit down and write you fully of 
all the happenings over here, but we must wait till 
'* apres la guerre," Dearest love to you all, 

February 14, 1917 

Dearest Mother: 

Here I am in a little French village, quite a dis- 
tance back of the line. The battalion is here for a 

127 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

short period of training. We all of us, officers and 
men, have quite comfortable billets, and it is a pleas- 
ure to get back to training again, much as that is 
hated in England. The men take a big interest in 
physical training and drill after the enforced slack- 
ness of trench life. They have a chance to get 
cleaned up and put their clothes in a decent con- 
dition again, and to get rid of their colds and sick- 
ness. We officers live in farmhouses, and have beds 
with white sheets on them. You can imagine the 
luxury of that. French beds are made of mattresses 
about two feet thick, so you see it is quite a change 
from floors. 

The people here are very friendly, and we hold 
long conversations with them. Many are refugees 
from occupied territory, and all have husbands or 
sons at the front. The husband of the woman who 
is my landlady has been a prisoner of war since 
October, 1914. He writes to her once a week, and 
she manages to send him food; so far, she says, he is 
in good health. The children in the different houses 
are especially attractive. I have just been playing 
with some, and a doll named "Augusta," which 
I dressed in various costumes, much to their de- 
light. They were also much amused at my French, 
I think. I find father's lexicon a great help. 

We came here by a two-days' march, and the 
men stood it remarkably well, when one considers 

128 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

that we have had nothing of the kind for a long 
time. We stopped over night in the town half way 
along, and I ran into one of my old friends, B. S. 
from Toronto. He is sergeant major of a column of 
mechanical transport ; that is, big motor trucks that 
carry supplies and ammunition. He was dumb- 
founded at seeing me, for he did n't know that I 
was out here. He looked, and was, the same as ever, 
and we spent the evening together. Did I tell you 
that one of the old rodmen was sergeant major of 
one of the companies of my battalion ? It seemed 
funny to see him out here, as he was my companion 
on a great many surveys in the Toronto terminals. 

It was interesting to march through this district 
of France and see the villages and people. I always 
think what a lovely country it must be in peace 
time, and what a pleasure it would be to travel 
peacefully here. Perhaps one day we can, together. 
The weather is warmer, very bright and sunshiny, 
and the houses where we are on the outskirts of the 
town, with the fields adjoining us, remind me of 
Mount Holly at this time of year. I went to the hos- 
pital where Charlie H. was just before we came 
away, and found that he was much better and had 
been sent down to the base, so I hope by now his 
people are very much reassured and that he will 
soon be in England. 

The situation between Germany and the United 

129 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

States remains the same, but one expects to hear 
of the break daily. There seem to be rumors that 
the Germans' bluff is called and that they will not 
dare to sink a United States ship, but I have my 
doubts about that. I feel sure that things will come 
to a head in a very short time, and that very likely 
the United States will not only declare war, but send 
an army to France ; the sooner the better, for we 
must win a definite military victory, and need all 
possible strength. The greater and stronger the 
army, the sooner the war will be ended and the less 
the suffering entailed. We hear daily of minor op- 
erations on the Somme, and all of them spell small 
gains, but it amounts to little more than jockeying 
for a starting-post. When the great effort comes 
it will be the most tremendous crash in history. I 
hope it will be soon, for further delay only means 
further misery. One hates to think of the condition 
of people in occupied territory and the prisoners of 
war, now that the surveillance and protection of the 
United States have been withdrawn. 

Mail has been held up lately, and I wonder if the 
U-boat war has anything to do with it. I feel sure 
that some of my mail was on the California. I sup- 
pose my letters to you will be held up too. Well, 
dear heart, we must make the best of things. I 
write often, so some of my letters should get through. 
Dearest love to you and father. 

130 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

February 21, 191 7 
Ash Wednesday 

Dearest Mother : 

Here we are at the beginning of another Lent, 
although it is not quite a year since the first time 
that I came to France. This week I have had your 
long letter of January 26th, — one from father, and 
the crucifix. It is just the same as the first, and 
I am glad to have it again pinned inside of my 
breast pocket. Thank you for having it fixed and 
sent so quickly. Father's cable, dated February 
9th, reached me a few days later. I must send 
you one before we leave here. We are still in the 
" rest," and have, I think, about a week more. 

I have told you about the village and how 
friendly all the people are. I have long conversa- 
tions with the madame of my billet. She has some 
very cunning little children — girls. I think I told 
you that her husband is a prisoner of war. When 
I go away, I will give her something to send him. 
Then there is Madame Duployez, who with her 
mother and father and little son are refugees from 
Lens. C, another D Company officer, and I often 
call on her, and she is delighted to see us. She is 
very bright and gay, and her mother is very nice 
too, they always give us "cafe noir." Her husband 
has been in the army from the start, and through 
all the big engagements. He was due home on a 

131 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

seven-days' leave a few days ago, but the day he 
was expected, she had a letter saying that leave 
was cancelled, owing to the German offensive in 
Champagne ; that is his area. 

Our papers are not coming at all well now, 
and we have n't seen one since Saturday, so I do 
not know how the Germans have progressed, or 
whether it was only a minor operation. In any 
event, it is not likely to affect general progress on 
our part. There seems to be a pause in the U-boat 
campaign as far as neutrals are concerned, but I 
still think that we cannot help becoming involved. 
If Germany's blockade is to be effective it must 
debar neutral trade. They say that the British war 
loan has been a tremendous success, so that should 
help matters. We go on steadily here with our 
training every day. It has been growing warmer 
and the ground is muddy again, but that does not 
amount to anything out here. 

My letters do not seem to have any news in 
them, because there is so much repressed that I 
long to tell you. You must know how much I 
think of you, and long that you could be spared all 
this anxiety ; and yet I know that you rejoice to bear 
that part in the victory that must be won. Dear- 
est mother, you will never know how much I owe 
to you for strength, and courage, and inspiration 
to carry me through this. 

132 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

I am sitting here now in my room writing at a 
big round-fronted table, by the light of two can- 
dles. My books and various possessions are on the 
table, and it reminds me in a way of my Toronto 
table. My high bed, with its white sheet and 
counterpane and white pillow, is at my right side, 
and on the left a casement window which opens 
into the barnyard. The door is right behind me 
and opens into the kitchen, and on both sides of 
it I have hooks to hang my clothes on. A little 
while ago the family were all in there by the stove, 
the children chatting away, but now they are in 
bed. Some time ago, too, madame gave a soft 
' ' Bon soir, monsieur, ' ' and went into her part of 
the house, which is on the opposite side of the 
kitchen. 

I love the politeness of the French people and 
children, the infinite compliment they are able to 
express in their *' monsieur " without the slightest 
trace of servility. Say '' Hello" to the veriest rag- 
amuffin, and you will always receive a polite "Bon 
jour, monsieur." Madame Duployez, who does 
my washing beautifully, and whose husband in 
civilian life is a coal miner, entertains me in her. 
kitchen and living-room as nicely as I have ever 
been entertained, and I always enjoy my visits 
there. If you receive a letter in French, you must 
answer it in the same language; 

133 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

It is very late. I must write oftener. Forgive 
the apparent dryness of this. Dearest mother, you 
know how much love and thought I have for you 
always. Much love to father. 

February 24, 1917 
Dear Father : 

We are nearing the end of our second week 
here, and it is nearly time for us to go back again. 
I waited until a day or two ago to reply to your 
cable. Every time that I write now I wonder 
whether or not my letter will get across to you. 
Day by day we watch the papers for the news 
that the United States has declared war, but every 
day it seems to be the same : preparations going 
on, but nothing definite decided. The two steam- 
ers — Orleans and Rochester — that were sent out 
as test cases have not yet been heard from. The 
other boats are delaying their sailings until the 
Government decides whether or not they must be 
armed. I suppose all that means a big mail delay, 
and probably in the future, until we get things 
more straightened out, there will be many delays, 
and we must content ourselves with letters at longer 
intervals. 

We have devoted our time here to serious train- 
ing, and I think that all the men are in better shape 
than they have been for a long time. The com- 

134 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

fortable living conditions and freedom from the 
mental strain of the line has done wonders. After 
being in the trenches, time in a place of this sort 
passes very quickly. The comfortable bed with 
sheets on it proved tremendously attractive in the 
early evening at first, and then we came to know 
several of the families and visited them. It is very 
amusing to talk French, and I am getting along 
quite well with the pronunciation, but my vocabu- 
lary still leaves much to be desired. Your diction- 
ary is invaluable. To-morrow afternoon one of 
my best friends, Madame Duployez, is going to 
make waffles for me, so I have a treat in store. 

One of the subs has a mandolin, which he plays 
very well, and we have borrowing privileges of a 
phonograph with some very good records, so on 
occasions a pleasant evening can be had. There 
is a fairly large town not far away, and we went 
there and had a picture taken of the D Company 
officers, and I had a separate one taken, which I 
hope will find their way to you some time. I won't 
risk them on one ship. I was very glad to hear 
that you had seen the Somme pictures. I saw 
them last summer at Folkestone, and thought them 
splendid. The man who took them did so at as 
much risk as the holding soldier, and that is very 
great. I hope that they did not censor any part of 
them* 

135 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

I am keeping splendidly well, and this rest has 
gotten me into very good shape, so that I feel fit 
for anything. We have a summer of hard work 
ahead of us, but, God willing, we will accomplish 
the task that is set, I only hope that Mr. Roose- 
velt will get over here with his men in time to give 
us a hand. More and more the bigger men are 
beginning to see things in their true light. A day 
or two ago the paper published some very pungent 
truths spoken by Elihu Root. 

It is late, so I must stop. My thoughts are 
always turning to home and the dear people who 
are thinking and praying for me. All I ask is that 
my actions here may be worthy of the ideals you 
have taught me. Dearest love to mother and to 
you. 

February 25, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

This, I think, is our last Sunday in "rest," 
and it has been a beautiful day. Chilly at first, but 
then toward noon the sun came out brightly, and 
it grew warm and springlike. We had church 
service in the open, and then at eleven, the Holy 
Communion in the village school-house ; a simple, 
comfortable service. 

One of the chief regrets of the battalion is that 
Captain H. has been transferred to the Divisional 

136 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

Artillery. This afternoon I took a walk with C, 
one of D Company lieutenants, and we called on 
Madame Duployez. She made waffles — " gauf- 
fres " — for us, as she had promised. Her hus- 
band's leave has been postponed again. 

We are still working hard at our training, and 
expect to remain here several days more. With 
the first of March that great spring we have been 
waiting for will be well on the way, and God grant 
success to our arms when we can finally attack. 
We must drive the Germans back and overwhelm 
them ; that is the only thing that can bring an end 
to all this terrible suffering and shadow that has 
fallen on the world, and that must be our strength 
when we go into it. 

Yesterday's papers told of Lloyd George's great 
speech and the drastic restrictions to be put on the 
imports, and its immediate acceptance gives one 
confidence in the sincerity and determination of the 
English people to do everything and make every 
sacrifice to win. The men who have been striving 
and wrestling with the spirit of the nation have won 
out in their great battle, and now we must do the 
very best that we can to win ours. Every day I look 
for the great news from the United States, but it 
has not come yet. Still I believe that every day 
brings it nearer. The news that Colonel Roose- 
velt has already laid plans for a speedy mobilization 

137 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

of an army of oiFence is very welcome, and so is 
it that Root and others are clear as to our duty 
in regard to international integrity and respect of 
treaties. I know that you are burning with the 
delay of our own action, and it is a hard burden 
to bear, but we must be patient, for there is much 
enduring ahead to be done. Our mail will be de- 
layed and perhaps some lost, but we will suffer 
that too. *' C'est la guerre," and this is our war, 
which we are glad to endure for what its victory 
will mean. 

It is late again, so I will go to bed. Dearest love 
for all. 

March 2, 191/ 

Dearest Mother: 

Your letter of February 2d is here, written after 
Germany's famous declaration, and to-day's paper, 
or rather yesterday's, gives us news of a tremen- 
dous agitation in the United States over the sinking 
of the Laconia, and says that war was only a mat- 
ter of forty-eight hours. I hope so. I do not see how 
we can ignore the overt act upon which the Pres- 
ident has set such store. Von HoUweg's speech 
in the Reichstag only aggravates the offence. We 
eagerly wait the news. 

There has been splendid report of progress on 
the Ancre. The Germans are making a speedy 

138 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

retirement, and many villages are falling into our 
hands which were expected to cost dearly. There 
is a tendency to consider it a part of the German 
plan to shorten their front, but to do that effectively 
it will be necessary to retire on an extensive scale, 
and the wisdom of that is doubtful. There is great 
news of British success against the Turks in Meso- 
potamia. We can only hope and pray that the tide 
is on the turn. If only we can pierce that line some- 
where in its length ! 

As you can see, we are still in our training place. 
The length of our stay was increased for some rea- 
son, and so we have had a chance to train to a much 
greater degree of efficiency, and are much better 
for our stay here. The back of the winter is broken, 
and though March is an unpleasant month, each 
day that goes by brings us nearer to an end of the 
suffering from cold, or rather discomfort ; there has 
been really not much suffering on this point. Es- 
pecially it brings us nearer to that happy time when 
the mud will get dry again. The weather here has 
been very lovely for the most part, and we are lucky 
to have had it so. It has been a pleasure to work in 
these pleasant sunny fields, and the people of the 
village are still friendly and hospitable, so the time 
goes quickly. 

Your letter was another of those wonderful in- 
spirations and encouragements. Your praying for 

139 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

victory breathes the fighting spirit which we will all 
need so badly before long. Your description of the 
pilgrimage of prayer is fine. It is a splendid and 
much needed thing. One of our gains from this 
war is the realization we have of the need of it all. 
A heavy United States mail is reported lost on 
the Laconia, and more than likely there were letters 
for me in it. I cannot think that the Government 
will block foreign mail, but it may be necessary to 
restrict sailings. Father's telegram prepared me to 
expect delays. This is Saturday afternoon, and a 
half holiday. My platoon has asked me to play on 
their soccer team against another platoon, and it 
is time for me to go now, so I will come back to 
finish. 

I have finished the soccer game, which was good 
fun, and then had my weekly hot bath at Madame 
Duployez' and a change into clean clothes. Ma- 
dame fills a wash-tub — the ordinary wooden va- 
riety — with hot water, and then places a bucket of 
cold water beside it. I temper the bath, and then, 
when I have finished, pour the rest of the cold water 
over me as a "douche." It is an excellent way to 
bathe . She washes my clothes , and does them beau- 
tifully. Her husband has finally returned for his 
leave, and instead of seven days, he has a month in 
which to work in the mines, for the Government is 

140 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

greatly in need of coal. He is a doughty "poilu " 
and very interesting to talk to, for he has been 
through all the big campaigns, including Verdun. 

After my bath, I went to dinner and found a 
letter from J. H. from the hospital in Boulogne 
where C. is. She was telegraphed for when he ar- 
rived there, because he had another hard pull, I 
suppose. Anyway, now she is with him and feels 
cheered by his progress, and thankful to have him 
back, away from the front. He has surely done his 
share, and I hope he has finished with all the hard- 
ships. I hope, too, that his mother can soon be 
relieved of her anxious suffering. 

To-morrow is Sunday and there is to be an early 
service in the school-house at eight. I thought last 
Sunday would be the last here, but I am sure this 
will be, though there may still be several days. We 
have had a long rest and are in good condition to 
return to our work. Dearest mother, my heart is 
always turning to you and praying that you may 
have grace to endure the trials, and that we may 
soon be together again. 

Hhrch 8, 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

Only a few days more now before we go back into 
the line. The village and our billets have become 
very homelike, and the constant family gathering 

141 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

of the seven of us in the company mess has 
brought us very close together. The second win- 
ter has set in, but I do not think it will be a long 
one. It is quite cold morning and evening, and 
there was quite a blizzard of snow this morning. 
To-day is the anniversary of my landing in France. 
The year has made a big difference ; if I could 
have looked ahead and known at the end of that 
time I would be an officer, I would have been even 
more full of good spirits and cheer than I was. 

Two impressions which I will never forget were 
my first glimpse of the English coast and my first of 
the French. In both cases we landed after nightfall 
and had to wait until morning for our first impres- 
sion, and both absolutely satisfied me. There was 
no sense of disappointment in the thing I had 
looked forward to for many years. 

I have grown quite accustomed to the daily life 
of a French village, mostly farmers and coal min- 
ers. The women do very hard farm- work, plough- 
ing and cultivating in the fields and threshing and 
taking care of the stock in the barns. Nearly every 
afternoon we go to call on Madame Duployez (or 
Capron ; her father's name is Duployez, her hus- 
band's Capron) for a half-hour or so before din- 
ner, and she always has black coffee, which I must 
confess I am not overfond of ; it is very bitter. It 
is a pleasant relaxation to talk French, and they 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

are used to my variety, so have no difficulty in 
understanding me. 

We are all looking forward to the opening of a 
new campaign with confidence and hope. It is 
bound to cost dear, but I think all of us are ready 
to pay anything asked. 

Affairs in the United States seem to become 
more complicated every day. The beginning of 
the week brought the news of the German plot 
with Mexico and Japan, almost a direct corrobora- 
tion of our expectations and thoughts months and 
months ago. This comes on top of a fresh Lusi- 
tania crime and Von Hollweg's reiteration of Ger- 
many's will to continue high-sea piracy and lying 
accusations against the good faith of the United 
States Government, and on top of the whole thing 
comes a newspaper yesterday, telling us that eleven 
senators were able to block the bill to arm mer- 
chantmen. Some American newspaper comments 
termed the action ''treason." It most certainly 
was that, and the perpetrators should be punished 
for that very crime, but of course they won't be. 
I know how the whole thing goads you and father 
and the rest of the Americans who are loyal to 
their country and whose sun does not rise and set 
for their own personal comfort and pleasure. 

The British advance on the Somme is encour- 
aging, and if the German retirement is a strategi- 

143 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

cal attempt to change the method of warfare from 
straight trench work, we will welcome it. That is 
just what we are looking for. Apparently the Ger- 
mans are still butting against the wall of Verdun. 
Dearest love to you and father. I think of you 
always and am conscious of your prayers and help. 

March 11, 1917 

Dear Father : 

My letters to you lately have not been very fre- 
quent ; as a matter of fact there has been little to 
write about, but a great deal to keep one busy in 
the matter of routine training work. Our rest and 
training period, owing to ulterior events, has ex- 
tended for a much longer period than any one ex- 
pected, but it has been taken advantage of by 
every one and we will be much better for it when 
we go back. I suppose this is really the first rest 
of the sort that this division has ever had. 

For some reason the colonel has formed a con- 
clusion that I am a bombing expert, and seems to 
be manoeuvring toward making me an understudy 
to his bombing officer. Last week he took me 
away from the company for several days to ex- 
periment with rifle grenades, — i.e., find what 
range could be obtained with various lengths of 
rifle-barrels and rods, — and now he has sent me 
to the town where the divisional headquarters is 

144 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

stationed, to stay with the commandant of the di- 
visional school for two or three days and pick up 
all the knowledge I can about bombing. The whole 
thing is distasteful to me. I am not especially in- 
terested in bombs, and do not know any more, if 
as much, about them, as the average subaltern, 
and it is taking me away from the company on the 
eve of big things, when every day counts. But 
here I am with some bombing instructors who take 
very little interest in things and can teach me little 
or nothing that I do not know already, wasting 
very valuable time and not in a very pleasant frame 
of mind. 

The weather has turned cold again, though 
nothing Hke what it was in January. At night, one 
is glad of all the covers one can get, but during 
the day it is fairly warm. 

The papers give us continual good news of 
progress on the western front. The French have 
nullified the German stab in Champagne, the Turks 
at Bagdad are in a bad way, and the prospects there 
are exhilarating. The frank admission by the Ger- 
man Government of their plot to embroil Japan 
and Mexico with the United States, now unan- 
swered except by bickering in the Senate as to the 
advisability of arming merchantmen, is an ab- 
surdity. 

I hope that you and mother are keeping well 

145 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

and as cheerful and as brave as can be. You have 
the satisfaction of knowing that you are giving 
as much and enduring as much now, as you would 
if there were an American army in the field. In 
trying to do my duty to the utmost, it will be with 
the thought that you are behind me, urging and 
encouraging me to fight the enemy of our country 
and all people. 

The whole tone of the army here is confident 
determination. We do not under-estimate the Ger- 
man power nor the difficulties that have to be over- 
come. We do not imagine that victory will come 
easily or in a short time, but we know the temper 
of the men, and their skill and abilities. We are 
willing to make the necessary sacrifices, and we 
know that the people at home are willing to make 
theirs. We have leaders, such as Lloyd George 
and Joffre, to pit against the Kaiser and Hinden- 
burg, and four big devoted nations to pit against 
Germany and Austria. Perhaps that does not give 
us a heavy handicap, but certainly the English 
navy does. 

Well, there is little more to say. I am in fine 
health ; needless to say, with all this comfortable 
living, and my spirits are high. I am eagerly 
looking forward to the time when we cease to hold, 
and start to drive the Huns back to their own 
frontier. We must demonstrate to Hindenburg 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

that his army is not invincible. A great deal of 
love to you and mother. I think of you always. 

March 13, 1917 
Dearest Mother: 

Your letter of February 20th arrived two or 
three days ago, while I was away on my little gre- 
nade course. It seems to bring you very near, for 
it was written while I was here. The letter you sent 
Mrs. H. to forward has not arrived yet, but prob- 
ably will soon. Now we have the news that Pres- 
ident Wilson has issued orders for the merchant 
ships to be armed, without waiting for a new vote 
in the Senate. From now on, the mails should re- 
sume in a way their regularity, though of course 
they would not be very frequent. 

I doubt if the neutrality myth can be maintained 
much longer. To-day we were cheered by the news 
that the British had occupied Bagdad, reversing 
the fall of Kut last summer. Let us hope that it is 
the beginning of a series of victories for the Allies. 
The food crisis seems to be coming everywhere. 
There will be a potato famine in England and France 
very soon. Coal is very scarce here, and I believe 
it will soon be confined entirely to war uses. The 
world is indeed becoming involved in the mael- 
strom, and America cannot possibly escape. The 
German influence in Mexico will probably lead to 

147 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

another outburst down there. Meanwhile, as you 
say, '* all will be well," and we can do our bit 
where we are. 

Everything goes well with me. We are still here 
in the village, going ahead with the training, but 
the time for moving is very near. Last week's 
cold weather has given way to more softness and 
warmth. The hardship due to real cold weather 
is over for this winter, though no doubt there will 
be plenty of wet, chilly nights. Still, winter itself 
has gone, and one can always look ahead for a warm 
to-morrow. 

I am just going on writing as though the mails 
were running regularly. Yesterday I had a lovely 
box from Toronto, handkerchiefs, socks, and letter 
paper. Father's letter of the 25th came too. Dearest 
love to you both. 

March 16, 1917 
Dear Father : 

Your letter of February 23d was waiting for me 
on my return to the battalion after the small bomb- 
ing course. You had received my letters up to 
January 28th, which is pretty good, considering. 
We now have news that shipping is resumed and 
all liners have orders to fire on U-boats at sight, so 
that the mail should be nearly normal again. I do 
not think that the Germans will be able to disrupt 

148 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

traffic seriously, though without doubt there will be 
conflicts, and war is sure to result shortly. China 
is now added to the enemies of the Central Powers. 
One by one all are dropping into line. We have 
fresh news of success on the Ancre every day, and 
the Bagdad affair is very gratifying. Good news 
from the East is a rare article. Our rest is over and 
we already have our schedule mapped out. It has 
been a very pleasant and at the same time valuable 
period for us. There is really no news that I can 
tell you. Everything seems to trespass on censor 
rulings. I am very well, and my morale is Al. A 
great deal of love to you and mother. You are al- 
ways in my thoughts. 

March 17^ 1917 
Dearest Mother : 

We are just about leaving our French home. We 
will have been here five weeks to-morrow, just twice 
and a half as long as we expected. The people 
have all been so nice and friendly, and we have been 
so comfortable and happy, that we are sorry to go. 
The little village and the surrounding fields where 
we have trained, the daily farm-work going on 
around us, has all grown very familiar. I have 
speaking acquaintance with lots of the people and 
children. On the other hand, we are glad to be 
going up the line again ; that is our business over 

149 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

here, and we want to have a part in sending good 
news back to the people at home. Every one is in 
good physical condition and rested. 

Every day we have good news from the Ancre 
front. The German retirement is n't such a pre- 
arranged movement as they would like us to be- 
lieve. One after another our artillery makes their 
positions untenable, and the infantry is always push- 
ing ahead and hastening their retreat. It is interest- 
ing to follow the changing line on the map. I hope 
father has a good one. Bagdad is a valuable cap- 
ture, especially from the moral point of view, and 
yesterday the paper reported that the cavalry had 
pushed forty miles beyond. 

To-day is beautiful, a crisp, clear wind, and that 
liquid, golden sunshine that promises spring in a 
few more days. Dearest love, mother, and to father 
and to those at the rectory. There is so little to tell 
you, that I must write oftener. Think of me as 
very happy and content at being here this spring. 

France^ March 23, 191 7 
Dearest Mother : 

Your letter of February 15th, forwarded by Mrs. 
H. , reached me to-day, just about a week after that 
of the 20th which you posted in Philadelphia. The 
idiosyncrasies of present-day mail ! It is marvel- 
lous how it manages to get here at all. Your let- 

150 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

ters are always so personal and full of love that it 
does n't matter, whether qr not they arrive chrono- 
logically. It is too bad that the big Christmas par- 
cel never arrived. I know how much love and care 
you put into it. Perhaps even now it will come 
some time. Occasionally letters and parcels travel 
around aimlessly and are side-tracked, and then 
find their way to their destination months later. 

Very little news filters through nowadays, and we 
do not hear of things until two or three days after 
they have happened. Our last word was that the 
advance south of Arras by the French and British 
was still continuing, and we are full of hope that 
the success there and against Turkey also is keep- 
ing up. It is remarkable that the German army 
can stand up against such continuous and steady 
onslaughts as the Allied armies have been making 
for the last twelve months. One would expect its 
morale really to break even if that of the people 
at home does not. When one gets up to the guns 
and feels the intensity and determination of the 
bombardment, one can realize the point of fierce- 
ness this war has reached. The rage of a present- 
day battle is an unprecedented thing. 

And America, my news of her is days late too. 
We only know that war is considered inevitable 
and that every preparation is being made to meet 
the issue. To-day's paper says that a special ses- 

151 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

sion of Congress has been called for April 2d. 
Whether it will result in a declaration of war is 
uncertain, but I think that it will, for by that time 
there will be an aggregation of overt acts and pub- 
lic opinion will be insistent. The sooner the better, 
for although we have won a great victory there is 
still a great deal more to do, and we need help. 

I hope the parcel that you sent from Quebec 
will arrive, for I know it will have the things that 
I want ; not that I am really in need of anything, 
but it is nice to get in touch with home and have 
things you have had. We are having another 
spell of very cold weather, much the same as last 
March. I do not suppose we can count on any 
real warmth before the middle of April, and then 
it will come to stay. Meanwhile, it is clear and 
fairly dry, and that is what we need. Dearest love 
to you both. 

March 24, 191/ 
Dear Father : 

The war is still going on in the same old way, 
only the warm weather seems considerably to 
quicken activities ; not that the weather is specially 
warm ; the last week has been very cold. 

You have probably rejoiced with the rest of us 
at the big advances in the south. It is a good be- 
ginning for our offensive, but if it is true that we 

152 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

will have to drive the Germans across their own 
frontier before they give in, there is a long way 
to go. Every one nowadays is indulging in opti- 
mistic hopes of a big, general retirement, back to a 
secondary line. As a time-gaining manoeuvre it is 
certainly good, for it would take a long time to get 
our guns into position again, but aside from that 
it is hard to see any advantage. The voluntary re- 
linquishment of so much hard- won territory is 
most certainly an admission of weakness, and I 
should not expect it to have a good moral effect on 
the people if they are at all inclined to be restless. 

It is hard to know what the Russian revolution 
will accomplish, whether it will mean a new and 
immediate strengthening of the army, or a long 
and indefinite period of reorganization and conse- 
quent inaction. I am quite sure that Hindenburg 
is too much worried with affairs on our front to 
attempt to take advantage of the situation with a 
northward drive. The papers we have to-day, and 
yesterday, are full of the extra session of Con- 
gress about to be called and the possibility of the 
United States taking an actively offensive part in 
the war. I hope it will work that way. We cer- 
tainly need all the help we can get, and the sooner 
the better. 

Mail is a fairly scarce article these days, although 
yesterday there was a big one from Canada, after 

153 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

none for a fortnight. I had three letters from To- 
ronto and one from mother. My last letter from 
you was dated February 25th. One of my letters 
from Toronto told me that Olaf has a little son, so 
the war is not blowing everybody ill. Everything 
is well with me : good spirits, health, food, quar- 
ters, nothing that I need or could complain of. I 
hope that all goes well with you. A great deal of 
love to you and mother. 

March 27, 1917 

Dearest Mother : 

Your letter postmarked March 7th arrived yes- 
terday. That is very good time — nineteen days ; 
and on it you had written, *' Yours of February 
14th just arrived," so that only took twenty days. 
Less than six weeks to do the return trip is a good 
record just now. Everything is going splendidly. 
I am in good health, good spirits, and feel full of 
energy. 

Each day's paper gives us further assurance of 
big preparations and determination to enter the 
war by the United States. By now you must feel 
that you have a big and powerful party on your 
side, who are only too anxious to do everything 
that can be done to make amends for the past. 
The meeting at Madison Square Garden must have 
been great, and the New York '' World's " cam- 

154 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

paign to make a gift of $1,000,000,000 to France. 
It seems very little for us to do for a country that 
has suffered so in the name of Democracy, and 
who always helped us in our fights for the same 
thing. Her losses in this war have, for the most 
part, been our gain. 

For the last week it has been very cold, and 
there has been much snow and sleet, but to-day 
it is warmer and very bright and sunny. Last 
year, April was half rain and half summer weather, 
so I suppose this year will be much the same. 
There will be many cold nights still, no doubt, but 
winter discomforts are practically over. 

I am glad that you have the Toronto paper, for 
it keeps you in touch with all the news of the 
Canadian forces, and devotes more time and heart 
to the war than ours. In a way it must remind 
you of the way we used to get it every morning 
and look for news of the Pioneers. The times are 
certainly full enough of action and realities to give 
every one pause. Things happen every day that 
were entirely out of the ken of the last generation. 

The Russian revolution is one of the greatest 
upheavals of political wrong in the world's history, 
and accomplished quickly and easily. My earliest 
thoughts of Russia always placed it in my mind 
as a mysterious, half-civilized place like China, 
full of secret societies, spies, and the mediaeval 

155 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

exile in Siberia. Now in three days the whole rot- 
ten secret core has been rooted out, and she takes 
her place beside other Christian countries, fighting 
for humanity and at the same time strangling the 
wrong in her own home. The old oligarchical rule 
that trusted to secrecy, mystery, superstition, un- 
derground darkness, for its power, seems to have 
had its day. More and more the Christian idea of 
fresh air and daylight is coming into the world. 
Vice flourishes in the dark, and secrecy is the 
enemy of honesty. I am sure that this war will 
end in a revolution of the Central empires and the 
overthrow of their system of tyrannical govern- 
ment. For that reason, if for no other, it is for the 
United States to give and do everything for our 
success. 

Well, dearest mother, I must put this in the 
mail. My very dearest love to you and father. 
You are always in my heart and thoughts. 



Palm Sunday^ April 1, 1917 

Dearest Mother : 

I have not had a chance to write much this 
week. We are just out of the line again, and com- 
fortable in a good camp for a little while. The par- 
cel with the toilet things sent from Quebec arrived 
safely a day or two ago, and they are all lovely. 

156 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

The rubber-lined bag is exactly what I wanted 
to put my things in, and the sponge, brush and 
comb, toothbrush and paste are all things I wanted, 
and the little cakes of Daggett and RamsdelPs soap 
are lovely ; just another of your dear parcels with 
the things you think of for me. Where did you 
get the pretty khaki-colored stuff for the bag ? 

I have n't had a letter from you since that of 
March 5th, but last night came the enclosure of 
the Raemakers cartoons and the little Japanese cal- 
endar. I am so glad you were able to see those 
pictures. I have seen a great many, but not half 
of those in the catalogue, and I thought them very 
wonderful and moving. The Foreword in the cata- 
logue is right when it gives them a permanent 
place as witness to posterity of the outrages of this 
war. No wonder the German Government has 
placed a price on his head. I loved the little Jap- 
anese calendar and the description of the Leprosy 
Hospital. What a wonderful work it is, and what 
bravery it must take to face isolation and an in- 
curable disease cheerfully ! The little prayers op- 
posite each month are appropriate to the life out 
here, and I will keep it as my pocket calendar. 

Just now I have received two more letters from 
you, postmarked March 1st and March 4th, both 
of them dear and full of love. You spoke of the 
cable. I am glad it reached you and was reassur- 

157 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

ing. We know that it takes very little time if we 
want to communicate any special news. I did not 
hurry in replying to yours, for I knew you would 
not be expecting it immediately. I think that I 
will send you word at intervals that way, and I 
will only send when I am sure the news will hold 
good for the time it takes for you to receive it ; for 
instance, at the beginning of a rest. One letter 
enclosed a beautiful little violet card for peace, and 
the other the violet from the big bunch that you 
bought for me . I will keep them in my prayer-book . 
You said that you were writing in the dark with- 
out knowing when or how the letters would reach 
me, so it should be reassuring to know that they 
have come through in good time. As for that 
Christmas parcel, I do not know what can have 
become of it. When I think of all your care and 
love in making and sending it, and the joy it 
would have been, it makes me heart-sick to think 
that it never came: the handkerchiefs with my 
name and all. There is no way that I can trace it. 
The Army Post-Office is working under tremen- 
dous pressure, and mistakes occur inevitably. 
D. S. sent me a parcel about then which never 
arrived, and she says that one was sent to me 
from St. Thomas's Church. I never had that 
either. A parcel from Aunt G. that should have 
taken a week took seven weeks. Apparently it 

158 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

travelled around to a lot of different battalions, as 
did a letter from Toronto. Anyway, now I have 
all my toilet things, and they are lovely. 

We are all waiting anxiously for the extra ses- 
sion of Congress and its action. Every one is sure 
that it will be a declaration of war or that war is 
going on. What a tremendous inertia has to be 
overcome before things can start. One of the D 
Company officers received the editorial page of 
two New York "Tribunes," and the editorials 
were splendid. It made one feel that America was 
sound at the core. In one of the columns was the 
account of an appeal, circulated by the "American 
Emergency Peace Federation," urging people to 
do everything in their power to tie things up at the 
Capitol, by keeping a stream of telegrams and let- 
ters flowing to the President and Congress peti- 
tioning peace. I think it was the most infamous 
thing that I ever read. On a par with that is the 
recent utterance that outrages three thousand 
miles away were no concern of ours. In spite of 
all, I am sure a very short time will find the United 
States openly at war, and then all the loyal people 
whose life is now unbearable, according to the 
New York " Tribune," will have their chance. 

That was such a thought of yours, to let me 
give you the violets that you love. You know the 
joy it would be to me to be able to give them, so 

159 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

you just made it possible. Your knowledge and 
acceptance of my love is my greatest happiness. 

You ask me if I had heard from H. Not for 
about two weeks. You know she has been in a 
clearing station in Flanders, and I think is nearly 
worn out with the work. You know the drive of 
hospital work, but these military hospitals are 
more intense. They are full of terribly hard cases 
to handle, and the nearer one gets to the line the 
more tremendous the strain. A ward empties in 
the morning and is full up again by afternoon; 
at the clearing stations, only the very worst cases 
are kept. Men are sent on, that a city hospital 
would think it murder to move. 

To-day our old padre. Captain H., came in to 
see us. That reminds me that Canon S. is very 
near here, and the day after to-morrow I am go- 
ing over to see him. 

There is much to be done and my letters do not 
seem frequent. This has stretched over two days, 
so now I am going to finish it, for it is very late and 
cold. My dearest love to father and to all. Dear- 
est, dearest mother, good-night. 

April 6, Good Friday 

Dear Father : 

My letters to you have not been very frequent 
lately. We have been rushed steadily, and letters 

160 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

to mother have been all that I can manage. Every 
one was delighted with the news in this morning's 
paper that the United States had declared war, 
and intends to enter into it whole-heartedly, with 
army and navy and in alliance with the Allies. It 
is wonderful to think of, and from now on I will 
feel that I am fighting under my own flag. Every- 
thing is going well out here, the weather is getting 
warmer and winter conditions are practically at an 
end. There is going to be plenty of rain and mud, 
but those are things we must always contend with. 
Good news comes in each day, and the German 
line is being forced steadily back by the British. 
It is only a matter of a week or so before the fall 
of Saint-Quentin, which is one of the nuclei of the 
Hindenburg line. 

I am very well and full of good spirits and ex- 
pectations, and now that the United States is at 
war, I am more glad than ever that I am here. I 
remember in the spring of 1914, when the first ru- 
mors of war with Mexico began to come through, 
I was wondering what my chances of being ac- 
cepted as a private would be, rather dubious about 
my eyes. Later, when the first Canadian contin- 
gent left, and O. with them, I felt as if I had been 
robbed of something and I longed for a chance to 
enlist for my country as they had for theirs. Now 
I am right at the front, and with a commission, on 

161 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

the very day my country declares war. It seems 
as though my greatest and most impossible earthly 
longing has been granted. I am going to try to be 
worthy of it, and when I am facing anything hard 
in the future, I will remember I am an American 
soldier. 

I can understand what a relief it must be to you 
after all your distress to have it settled, and now 
every one can settle down to the work of prepara- 
tion. If one can believe our papers they are going 
at it with a whole heart and no half measures. 

There is no news that I can send you now, ex- 
cepting to send you my love and assurance that I 
am doing and will do my best, and that I am al- 
ways thinking of you and mother and your desire 
that I do my part. Very much love to you both. 

April 7, 19ir 
Dearest Mother : 

I am going to start my Easter letter to you to- 
night and finish it in the morning. I had a won- 
derful mail the other day : four or five letters from 
you, dated February 24th (marked "damaged by 
seawater "), March 10th, 12th, and 16th. Besides 
those I have your letters of March 1st and 4th. 
The last letter had your beautiful Easter card, so 
your timing this time was just right. 

I am rejoicing with you in the great decision of 

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LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

the country to join the Allies. It has been a won- 
derful inspiration and encouragement to every one 
out here and a joy to me, and I know what a great 
relief and comfort it is to you after the long strain 
of waiting and suffering. Now, we are giving and 
fighting for our own flag and native country who 
has found again her ideals. I am looking forward 
to Easter with that happy thought in my heart and 
soul. 

It is late now, so, dearest mother, I will say 
''Good-night." 

Easter Morning 

Happy Easter, dearest mother. I have been to 
the communion service in the Y.M.C.A. tent, and 
now have just finished my breakfast. It is a beau- 
tiful, sunshiny spring day, one of the loveliest we 
have had for weeks. After the service, the chap- 
lain handed out copies of this poem. I am sending 
it to you as an Easter memento of the firing line. 
It is very wonderful, and I think the epitome of 
what one feels out here. 

I am very well and happy just now, and we are 
all full of the inspiration and encouragement that 
this great new ally, the United States, and all the 
fine success of the French and British farther south, 
have given us. It is only a question of pushing 
steadily and determinedly ahead now, and we will 

163 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

win. There are lots of strong men here, and lots 
more ready to come from England and America, 
so we go ahead with that thought in our hearts. I 
wish I could tell you more about things now, but 
perhaps that will come later. To-day I am in a 
comfortable wooden hut on a hillside, right in the 
centre of every kind of activity of a warlike nature. 
This section of country is entirely given over to 
the military, and it is teeming with life. 

Well, dearest mother, I must stop for a while 
now. My dearest love to you and father always. 

From your son 

Edwin 

" Beyond the path of the outmost sun, through utter dark- 
ness hurled — 
Farther than ever comet flared or vagrant Stardust swirled — 
Live such as fought, and sailed, and ruled, and loved, and 
made our world. 

*' And ofttimes cometh our wise Lord God, master of every 

trade, 
And tells them tales of His daily toil, of Edens newly 

made, 
And they rise to their feet as He passes by, gentlemen 

unafraid." 



164 



LETTERS FROM FRANCE 

(Found in soldier* s kit, forwarded to his mother from 

Ottawa) 

France^ April 6, 1917 

Good Friday 

Dearest Mother and Father : 

We are going up to an attack in a short time, 
and I am going to leave this note to be sent to you 
in case by God's will this is to be my final work. 
I have made my Communion, and go with a light 
heart and a determination to do all that I possibly 
can to help in this fight against evil, for God and 
humanity. I do not think of death or expect it, but 
I am not afraid of it, and will give my life gladly 
if it is asked. It is my greatest comfort that I know 
you too will gladly give all that is asked, and live 
on happily doing all that can be done, grateful to 
God for his acceptance of our sacrifice. To-day 
the news came to us here that the United States 
had joined the Allies, so I go with the happy con- 
sciousness that I am, and you are, fighting for our 
dear flag, as thousands of Americans have before 
us in the cause of Liberty. It may be comfort for 
you to know that I have a great company of com- 
rades, men and officers, all filled with determina- 
tion and cheerful courage. 

My dearest love to S. and H. and their dear 
children. My heart is full of gratitude for having 

165 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

such love as they have given me. My dearest love 
to all my friends, all who have loved me and whom 
I love. 

Now, dearest mother, and dearest father, I will 
say good-bye for a time. You have given me my 
faith, which makes this so easy for me, and a 
wonderful example and inspiration of courage and 
unselfishness. All my love, and God bless you 
both. Your son. 



IV 
ADDITIONAL LETTERS 



IV 

ADDITIONAL LETTERS 

In the Fields April 22, 1917 
W. B. Abbey, Esq^., 

523 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, U.S.A. 
Dear Mr. Abbey : 

I would like to write you concerning the death 
of your son in action on the morning of April 10th, 
about nine o'clock. It is my duty to write, since I 
was in charge of the line at the time, but I want 
to write even more because I thought very highly 
of him as a gentleman and a friend. At the time 
of his death, he was in charge of one of our most 
dangerous posts. It was a strong point in front of 
our trench, and a little distance over the crest of 
Vimy Ridge. It was necessary to hold it in order 
to deny to the enemy the approach up the hill to 
the crest. Because of the loss we had suffered in the 
post, it was almost decided to withdraw from the 
post during the day, but your son came and argued 
that he should continue to hold the post because 
of its importance. In this he showed his fine de- 
votion to duty and disregard of danger. On his 
way out to the post he was shot and killed by an 
enemy sniper. 

169 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

His grave is marked by the Graves Registration 
Committee, and later a suitable mark will be set 
up by the battalion. The chaplain later read the 
service over his grave. 

I would like to assure you of my genuine sym- 
pathy in your great loss. I feel a sense of personal 
loss myself, for one does n't often meet such fine 
fellows. In my brief experience with him, he had 
always shown himself a gallant soldier and a thor- 
ough gentleman. 

Yours sincerely 

A. P. Menzies 

Major 4th C.M.R. 

{Extract from a letter to the soldier'' s mother^ from 
Major Hertzberg) 

July 18, 1917 

On the 9th of April in the morning, immedi- 
ately after the final objective had been taken, Ed- 
win took forward a party of men to reinforce the 
garrisons of some advanced posts. He reached 
these posts and successfully made the relief under 
heavy rifle fire from very close range. In one of 
the posts he found the officer in charge. Lieutenant 
W.J. Butson, senior subaltern of Edwin's com- 
pany, seriously wounded, and realized that there 
was no chance of his pulling through unless he 

170 



ADDITIONAL LETTERS 

had medical attention at once. Edwin therefore 
toolc some of his men and decided to make an 
attempt to get Butson out. By every law in the 
world the thing was impossible, and yet impossi- 
ble things are done by some men, even as this one 
was carried through by your son, over absolutely 
open ground in broad daylight, in full view of the 
enemy at very close range. The ground the party 
had to cover was only some three hundred yards, 
but up a very steep and exposed slope. It took 
four hours to cover that ground, jumping from 
shell hole to shell hole with the wounded man. At 
the expiration of that time Edwin and one other 
man in that party, the others all casualties, carried 
Butson into our front line, all in a state of com- 
plete exhaustion. 

Edwin was then ordered by his O.C. to get some 
rest and not go forward again. He apparently 
stayed in the front line for a few hours, and then 
in the early morning of the 10th, with four scouts, 
again started out for the advanced posts to see that 
his men were all right. It was still dark, and he 
seems to have mistaken his bearing. It was all new 
ground and extremely difficult to locate, so he 
halted his four men and went forward himself to 
find the post, and just as dawn was breaking, he 
must have come right on top of the German line 
of snipers. It is reported that he rose up suddenly 

171 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

from the ground and shouted to his men to get 
back to our people, with the information as to 
where he had found the German line, and then he 
pitched forward and dropped. 

Patrols were immediately sent out to find him, 
and three of them at different times during the day 
are sure that they got to the spot where he was seen 
to fall. He was finally found some distance from 
that spot, after the enemy line had been forced far- 
ther back. They had obviously carried him back 
to their main line to some officer in order to identify 
what troops were against them. Everything was 
taken from his pockets and clothes, all his badges, 
etc., except his identity disc, which was round his 
neck. He was shot through the heart, and death 
must have been instantaneous. He was buried prac- 
tically where he fell. These are cold, bare facts that 
I have given you. I have no words to enlarge on 
them or to praise him. You know how every one 
near him loved and respected him. 

I am enclosing two notes I have from Captain M. 
(I met him twice — such a fine fellow) and also C, 
a very young sub, who told me he always looked 
up to Edwin and felt so safe and confident when he 
was with him. It went right through me, the way 
he spoke ; and just before he left me, he pointed 
rather proudly to a very new and clean ribbon of 
the Military Cross on his left breast, and said so 

172 




"SaoT^ 



ADDITIONAL LETTERS 

simply and quietly, ' * Abbey would have had that 
instead of me if he had not been killed." I have 
known men in South Africa, and in the early part 
of this war, to get a V.C. for less ! 

I was unable to arrange to have M. show me the 
grave, but he gave me map location and I man- 
aged to find it. He lies halfway up the steep slope 
towards the east, that he died in holding, with his 
face to his enemies and surrounded by his brother 
officers and men who fell with him. The whole slope 
is dotted with those * ' mounds of Flemish earth ' ' 
that 

" witness bear as men pass by 
That greater things than life or death 
Are Truth and Right, which never die." 

I think that so wonderfully suits Edwin. He 
saw some one fighting for Truth and Right and 
some one fighting against it, and at once, and for 
no other reason, he threw all he had with what he 
thought was right, and he died for it ; and I think 
that must be the very biggest and highest thing 
that a man can do. 

The slope is now all covered with fresh new 
green leaves and bright little flowers ; all the stars 
and rents and shell holes are covered as though 
some one had healed the wounds. I picked the 
flowers from his grave the morning I put up the 

173 



AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

cross, — such a glorious morning ! The sun just 
coming up over the German lines that were all hid- 
den by a kind mist, so that the guns were silent, 
only an occasional sharp crack of a rifle away off" 
in the mist-covered trenches, and up on the ridge 
high above the ground mist, everything so bright and 
clear, and fresh and sweet-smelling ; and we put up 
the cross and tidied things up a little, and then I 
sent my two men back, and I stayed a minute alone 
and thought of the wonder of it all, and then — I 
left him alone with his glory. 

* * * 

* ' So he passed over, and the trumpets sounded 
for him on the other side." 



THE END 



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